Liquorice as a potent therapeutic: Unveiling its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immune-boosting benefits

Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) has been widely recognized for its medicinal applications, providing significant benefits in treating inflammation, viral infections, and immune disorders. Rich in bioactive compounds like glycyrrhizin, flavonoids, and polysaccharides, liquorice exhibits a broad spectrum of pharmacological effects. Research indicates its effectiveness in inhibiting pro-inflammatory markers like COX-2 and IL-6, making it a valuable anti-inflammatory agent. Additionally, liquorice shows antiviral activity against various DNA and RNA viruses, including HSV, HIV, and SARS-CoV-2, largely due to its ability to block viral replication pathways and enhance immune responses.

Clinical studies have confirmed the immunomodulatory potential of liquorice, highlighting its role in modulating cytokine levels and supporting T-cell activity. Novel extraction and nanomedicine approaches have also advanced liquorice's use, enhancing its stability and bioavailability for pharmaceutical applications. Specifically, glycyrrhizin has gained attention for its impact on the ACE-2 receptor, a target for managing COVID-19, showing promise in both prevention and treatment efforts.

This extensive review underscores the need for further exploration of liquorice as a complementary treatment, especially in the context of global health challenges. Given its multiple mechanisms of action, liquorice represents a potential natural therapeutic agent for addressing inflammation, immunity, and infectious diseases.