Glycyrrhiza Glabra L.: An Overview of Its Pharmacological Significance

Glycyrrhiza glabra L., commonly known as licorice, is an important medicinal plant widely recognized for its traditional therapeutic applications and diverse pharmacological properties. Its roots have been used as medicine for centuries in Indian, Chinese, Greek, and other traditional systems to treat respiratory, gastrointestinal, inflammatory, and hepatic disorders. The present review provides a comprehensive overview of the botanical characteristics, traditional uses, phytochemical constituents, and pharmacological activities of G. glabra, highlighting its potential applications in healthcare and pharmaceutical research. The plant contains numerous bioactive compounds, including glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid, glabridin, licochalcones, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, saponins, and terpenoids, which contribute to its diverse biological activities. Reported pharmacological properties include antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, gastroprotective, anticancer, antimalarial, antithrombotic, immunostimulatory, skin-lightening, and hair-growth-promoting effects. Despite promising findings, further investigations are required to establish the clinical efficacy, pharmacokinetics, safety, and optimal therapeutic dosages of its bioactive constituents. Overall, G. glabra represents a valuable source of pharmacologically active natural compounds and offers considerable potential for the development of evidence-based herbal formulations and novel therapeutic agents.