New Materials Compounds and Applications, cilt.7, sa.2, ss.59-75, 2023 (ESCI)
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) is renowned for its traditional medicinal and homeopathic
applications against numerous diseases. As the main triterpenoid compound derived from licorice
extract, glycyrrhizin (GL) has been identified to possess wide-ranging pharmacological effects. GL is
hydrolyzed into its aglycone glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) and glucuronide. In addition, flavonoids such as
isoliquiritigenin are found in licorice roots. It is well documented that these active components exhibit
great potential as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, and antioxidant agents,
in particular. However, their poor water solubility, low bioavailability in biological fluids, and possible
cytotoxicities hinder their clinical uses. Nanomedicine has opened a new avenue in this context and
augmenting the bioavailability and safety of these herbal drugs can aid in developing suitable agents for
clinical application. The current review summarizes recent advances in the production of novel licoricebased nanoformulations for the treatment of different illnesses. Various therapeutic effects have been
observed in licorice-based nanomedicines including antibacterial, immuno-modulatory, antiinflammatory, hepatoprotective, regenerative, and drug delivery. The current manuscripts summarized
the role of nanomedicine in enhancing the pharmacological effects of licorice-based beneficial agents by
providing targeted delivery of more bioavailable products. The application of nanotechnology in the
fabrication of licorice-based products can potentially alleviate most of the pathologies and also reduce
the toxicity of therapeutic strategies.