The antiviral and antimicrobial activities of licorice, a widely-used Chinese herb
Liqiang WangSchool of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, ChinaRui YangSchool of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, ChinaBochuan YuanSchool of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, ChinaYing LiuSchool of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, ChinaChunsheng LiuSchool of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
2015en
ABI
Abstract
Licorice is a common herb which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. More than 20 triterpenoids and nearly 300 flavonoids have been isolated from licorice. Recent studies have shown that these metabolites possess many pharmacological activities, such as antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and other activities. This paper provides a summary of the antiviral and antimicrobial activities of licorice. The active components and the possible mechanisms for these activities are summarized in detail. This review will be helpful for the further studies of licorice for its potential therapeutic effects as an antiviral or an antimicrobial agent.
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