Glycyrrhizin and its derivatives: an emerging secondary metabolite arsenal of Glycyrrhiza glabra

The pharmacological characteristics of secondary metabolites and their promising use in agriculture, medicine and industry has attracted immense attention from the scientific community. Glycyrrhizin, a triterpenoid saponin from Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), has also garnered substantial attention due to its diverse range of biological activities and therapeutic potential. This review provides a comprehensive overview of glycyrrhizin and its derivatives, accentuating their pharmacological activities along with their primary mechanisms of action. Glycyrrhizin exhibits notable antidiabetic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and anticancer activities. All these activities are attributed to its ability to modulate various cellular pathways and immune responses. Its anti-inflammatory effects are primarily facilitated through the inhibition of NF-κB and other pro-inflammatory cytokines, while its antiviral efficacy has been shown to extend to a broad spectrum of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Glycyrrhizin explores anticancer potential through its capacity to inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis, and suppress metastasis. Future studies should be focussed on the development of novel derivatives and formulations, particularly nano-formulations, to enhance efficacy and safety, positioning glycyrrhizin and its derivatives as emerging arsenal candidates in the dominion of natural product-based therapeutics.