A Critical Appraisal on Phytochemical Constituents and Therapeutic Effect of Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Abstract

In present era, traditional medicines are getting more attention worldwide. Herbal medicines are one among them with great therapeutic significance and potential actions. Glycyrrhiza glabra is one of the important and widely used classical herbal medicinal plants with vast clinical action. Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. Commonly known as Liquorice, sweet wood, Mulahatti and Yashtimadhu. It has key activities from getting rid of simple cough, eye troubles to curing asthma, bronchitis, abdominal colic and ulcers. Recent researches have also shown its positive effect in cancer cases. The important chemical constituent of liquorice is glycyrrhizin (about 2–9%), Glycyrrhetinic (glycyrrhetic) acid (0.5–0.9%). Other active constituents of liquorice include isoflavonoids, chalcones, triterpenoids, coumarins, sterols, amino acids, amines, lignans, gums and volatile oils. These are found to be responsible for its various activities like antiulcer activity, wound healing activity, cognitive function enhancing activity, antithrombotic effect, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective effect, cerebroprotective effect, antidyslipidaemic activity, antioxidant activity, anti-tussive, anti-arthritic activity etc. The present review study is focused on reported information related to its phyto-constituents and pharmacological activities. Keywords: Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn, glycyrrhizin, liquorice, Yashtimadhu Cite this Article Shobhit Kumar, Binod Bihari Dora. A Critical Appraisal on Phytochemical Constituents and Therapeutic Effect of Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra). Research & Reviews: Journal of Medical Science and Technology. 2017; 6(3): 6–10p.