Abstract
Glycyrrhiza glabra is commonly known as Yashtimadhu. It has been used worldwide in various systems of medicine viz, Ayurvedic, Allopathic and other traditional systems of medicine. Herbal medicines are the synthesis of therapeutic experiences of generations of practising physicians of indigenous systems of medicine for over hundreds of years. It is mainly used for the treatment of peptic ulcer, hepatitis C and pulmonary and skin diseases. Clinical and experimental studies also suggest that it has several other useful pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective and cardio protective activities. So many active constituents of liquorice were isolated including triterpene saponins, flavonoids, isoflavonoids and chalcones with glycyrrhizic acid normally being considered to be the main biologically active component. This review focus to highlight the available literature on Glycyrrhiza glabra with respect to its Ayurvedic aspects, pharmacognostical characteristics, phytochemical constituents, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological aspects with the clinical and adverse effects, toxicology and precautions of liquorice and its bioactive components are also included. This will be helpful to create interest towards liquorice and may be useful in developing new herbal formulations with more therapeutic and economical value.
