Kaur et al., IJPSR, 2013; Vol. 4(7): 2470-2477.

E-ISSN: 0975-8232; P-ISSN: 2320-5148

IJPSR (2013), Vol. 4, Issue 7 (Review Article)

Received on 02 March, 2013; received in revised form, 25 April, 2013; accepted, 17 June, 2013

GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA: A PHYTOPHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW

Rajandeep Kaur*1, Harpreet Kaur 2 and Ajaib Singh Dhindsa 3
CT Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences 1, Jalandhar, Punjab, India
Lovely Professional University 2, Phagwara, Punjab, India
Global institute of Management & Technology 3, Amritsar, Punjab, India
Keywords: ABSTRACT: Plants have been one of the important sources of
medicines since the beginning of human cultivation. There is a growing
Licorice, Glycyrrhizin, Expectorant,
Biological activity demand for plant based medicines, health products, pharmaceuticals,
food supplements, cosmetics etc. A review of chemical constituents
Correspondence to Author: present in various parts of Glycyrrhiza glabra and their pharmacological
actions is given in the present article. Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn, is a
Rajandeep Kaur
commonly used herb in Ayurvedic medicine. Although the review
Assistant Professor, CT Institute of articles on this plant are already published, this review article is
Pharmaceutical Sciences Jalandhar, presented to comply all the updated information on its phytochemical
Punjab, India and pharmacological activities, which were performed by widely
different methods. Studies indicate that Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn
E-mail: myrajan786@gmail.com possesses antibacterial, antioxidant, antimalarial, antispasmodic, anti-
inflammatory and anti-hyper glycemic properties. Various other effects
like antiulcer, antiviral, antihepatotoxic, antifungal and herpes simplex
have also been studies. These results are very encouraging and indicate
this herb should be studies more extensively to confirm these results and
reveal other potential therapeutic effects. A review of chemical
constituents present in various parts of Glycyrrhiza glabra and their
pharmacological actions is given in the present article.
INTRODUCTION: Since ancient times, several Traditional forms of medicine have existed and still
societies have resorted to nature, mainly to plants as exist in many countries of the world including
medical and health sources. Today, a great countries in the Indian sub-continent like India,
percentage of the world population, particular in Pakistan and Bangladesh. The various alternative
developing countries, uses plants for facing primary medicinal systems of India (Ayurveda, Unani, and
needs of medical assistance 1. Human beings have Siddha) uses more than 7500 plant species 2.
used plants for medicinal purposes for centuries. It
has been estimated that such use of medicinal plants Documentation of these traditional medicinal
possibly go back in time to around 3000 years. systems is important as a number of important
modern pharmaceuticals have been derived from
QUICK RESPONSE CODE plants used by indigenous people. Modern drugs like
DOI:
10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.4(7).2470-77
aspirin, atropine, ephedrine, digoxin, morphine,
quinine, reserpine and tubocurarine are examples,
which were originally discovered through
Article can be accessed online on:
www.ijpsr.com observations of traditional cure methods of
indigenous people 3.
DOI link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.4(7).2470-77

International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research 2470