Pharmacological Activities of Licoisoflavone A and Licoisoflavone B

Licorice is a renowned traditional Chinese medicine. Licoisoflavone A and licoisoflavone B are two compounds present in licorice. Previous studies have demonstrated their effectiveness in several pharmacological areas. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of licoisoflavone A and licoisoflavone B, including their biological sources, physicochemical properties, biotransformation pathways, and pharmacological activities. Licoisoflavone A and licoisoflavone B are primarily derived from different types of dried licorice roots, and pure forms of them can be readily obtained in the market for experimental research. While the exact biosynthesis, transformation, and metabolism pathway of licoisoflavone A and licoisoflavone B in vivo remain unclear, they likely share similar biotransformation pathways due to their classification as isoflavones. Licoisoflavone A and licoisoflavone B are commonly used as inhibitors of lipid peroxidation. They have been proved to exhibit antioxidant and antibacterial effects. Additionally, licoisoflavone A effectively inhibits myocardial hypertrophy, promotes non-specific immunity, and scavenges free radicals, thereby providing significant cardiovascular protection. At the same time, licoisoflavone B has been demonstrated certain anti-tumor effects. The wide range of pharmacological activities exhibited by licoisoflavone A and licoisoflavone B highlights their potential for various therapeutic applications.