What is the effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra?

Licorice, also known as liquorice, sweet wood, and sweet root, has been used as a cough remedy and asthma treatment. The active ingredient is glycyrrhizin, also known as glycyrrhizic acid. The effect of licorice in treating asthma derives antiinflammatory effects and the enhancement of endogenous steroids.

What is the common name of Glycyrrhiza glabra?

Licorice
Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)

How do you identify licorice plants?

Identification

  1. Distinguishing characteristics: Although other legumes have glandular leaflets, Glycyrrhiza lepidota can be distinguished by the dense concentration of glands on the upper stem.
  2. Flower characteristics: Pale yellow, 12 to 15 mm.
  3. Fruit characteristics: Brown, 1.5 cm, densely beset with hooked prickles.

Which part of Glycyrrhiza glabra is used?

The root and rhizome parts of this plant are used as a folk medicine both in Europe and eastern countries. G. glabra extracts have been shown to possess lot of medicinal properties like antitussive, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, anticancer, etc.

Which part of Glycyrrhiza glabra is obtained as the biological source?

root
Derived from the root of the licorice plant, Glycyrrhiza glabra, glycyrrhizin contains glycyrrhetic acid, flavonoids, hydroxycoumarins, and β-sitosterol.

Is adulterated with Glycyrrhiza glabra?

The important adulterants of Glycyrrhiza glabra are the roots of Glycyrrhiza Fisch. (Manchurian liquorice) and Abrus precatorius Linn4‐6. Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn contains triterpene saponins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, pectins, simple sugars, amino acids, mineral salts, and various other substances7.

Where is Glycyrrhiza glabra found?

Glycyrrhiza glabra, or Licorice is a flowering, herbaceous perennial legume native to Europe, parts of Asia, and most of North America, but not to the Southeastern United States. Its roots produce an intensely sweet compound used in teas and candies.

Where does Glycyrrhiza glabra grow?

The licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), which means sweet root in Greek is actually a legume. It is native to the Mediterranean and parts of the South-West Asia and particularly to the Indian subcontinent, where it is called ‘Mulethi’ It is a perennial herb that grows to over a meter and a half tall.

What does licorice root plant look like?

Harvesting Licorice The roots are brownish-yellow, long and flexible, with a yellow, juicy interior. Harvest the thickest horizontal roots but leave the deep tap root and thinner horizontal roots to grow on. Replant or bring it under cover for winter in very cold areas.

What is Glycyrrhiza glabra?

Glycyrrhiza glabra is a perennial, temperate-zone herb or subshrub, 3 to 7 feet high, with a long, cylindrical, branched, flexible, and burrowing rootstock with runners (Fig. 85.1). The parts used are the dried runners and roots, which

How does Glycyrrhiza affect glucocorticoids?

Like its mineralocorticoid effect, glycyrrhiza’s major influence on glucocorticoid metabolism is probably related to its suppression of 5-β-reductase activity, thus increasing the half-life of cortisol. Glycyrrhetinic acid can also increase the conversion of cortisol to the more powerful cortisone.18

What are the uses of glycyrrhizin?

The most popular use of oral licorice preparations containing glycyrrhizin is in the treatment of viral illnesses, particularly the common cold. Licorice has long been used in this application.

What is the effect of glycyrrhizic acid on type 2 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase expression?

Tanahashi T., Mune T., Morita H. Glycyrrhizic acid suppresses type 2 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase expression in vivo. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2002;80:441–447.