A Review on Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Aṣl al-Sūs) with Unani Perspective and Modern Pharmacology

Traditional Unani (Greco-Arab) medicine is among the most ancient therapies founded by the father of Western medicine, the Hippocrates. Presently, most of the population worldwide depend on herbal medicines for some aspect of their primary health care needs. Treatment with medicinal plants is appraised very safely as there are no or minimal side effects. The promising fact is that herbal treatment can be used irrespective of any age group. Most of the pharmaceutical companies are currently conducting extensive research on plant materials assemble from the rain forests and other places for their potential medicinal value. Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Leguminosae/Fabaceae) is best known for its use in making licorice-flavored confectionery. In Unani medicine, it is commonly known as Aṣl al-Sūs. It is a plant of remote origin. Aṣl al-Sūs extracts and its principle element “glycyrrhizin” have widely been used in foods, tobacco and for medicinal purposes in herbal and traditional medicines as well. It possesses multiple pharmacological and medicinal activities such as anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and hepatoprotective actions. This review attempts to compile the data regarding its ethnobotanical actions and medicinal uses in Unani medicine along with its phyto-pharmacological descriptions. Keywords: Herbal medicine, Aṣl al-Sūs., Glycyrrhiza glabra L.

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Medicinal Uses of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.): A Comprehensive Review

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2021.7526 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (F) ◽

pp. 668-675

Author(s):

Fizza Mubarik ◽

Sana Noreen ◽

Fatima Farooq ◽

Mudassir Khan ◽

Ahasan Ullah Khan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Diseases ◽

Liver Toxicity ◽

Herbal Medicines ◽

Glycyrrhiza Glabra ◽

Tooth Decay ◽

Medicinal Uses ◽

Comprehensive Review ◽

Health Related ◽

Herbal Plants ◽

Glycyrrhiza Glabra L

Innumerable plants have been used widely as integral medicinal sources since the start of human civilization. The demand for herbal medicines is constantly increasing with time overtime. Licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra family Leguminosae) is one of the most used herbal plants in foods, in medicinal forms, and substantially researched on a worldwide scale. It was used as traditional and complementary medicine against innumerable ailments including allergies, liver toxicity, gastric ulcer, lung diseases, skin disorders, oral health problems including tooth decay, and inflammation. The constituents of licorice include various essential oils, sugars, inorganic salts, resins, amino acids, and nucleic acids. Biological activity has been observed to be portrayed by active compounds of licorice including triterpene, flavonoids, and saponins. In recent years, licorice has been widely researched to discover its benefits, constituents, and its mechanism of action. The review summarizes the therapeutic and pharmacological benefits of licorice and its uses in different health-related conditions along with its toxicity and maximum levels of licorice consumption.

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Indeginous Knowledge of Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Smith; An Important Medicinal Fern of Western Ghats

Journal of Non Timber Forest Products ◽

10.54207/bsmps2000-2017-jmr6e3 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 75-78

Author(s):

Charana Kumar ◽

◽

Clara Manasa P.A. ◽

M. Jadeyegowda ◽

Shrikant Gunaga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mangifera Indica ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

Modern Medicine ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Medicinal Uses ◽

Traditional Medicines ◽

Host Trees ◽

Medicinal Value ◽

Ancient Times ◽

Similar Location

Indigenous knowledge on the usage of medicinal plants all over the world precedes the origin of modern medicine in healthcare system. Plants have given many health benefits to humans since ancient times. Drynaria quercifolia commonly called Oak Leaf Fern, is used in traditional medicinal system by different groups of people to treat various kinds of health problems however, in Ayurvedic System of Medicine it is sold in the name of ‘Ashwakatri’. The present study aims to document the traditional medicinal knowledge on Drynaria quercifolia in the Kodagu district. The folk knowledge believes that the host specific Drynaria quercifolia has considered as strong and effective medicine. This ferns collected from only specific tree species can be extracted for its medicinal value. Paper also deals with the tradition information on the preparation and consumption of folk medicine. Though the medicinal uses of Drynaria quercifolia has been described by many workers, the practice of traditional medicines significantly varies from region to region and also in the similar location of the same region. The survey was conducted in the Kodagu district of Karnataka to document the traditional medicinal usage of fern Drynaria quercifolia. To generate the information on traditional knowledge, frequent discussions and semi-structured interviews with folk healers viz., natividyas, knowledgeable individuals and forest tribes. Based on the results of the study it is found that this species is used for curing jaundice as folk medicine and the medicinal value of the fern which is extracted only from those individuals growing on specific host trees viz., Artocarpus hirsutus, Ficus mysorensis, F. benghalensis and Mangifera indica have found the effective results than the species growing on other trees. Study concluded that the host specific trees of Drynaria quercifolia are more effective in treating ailments.

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Commercially Important Medicinal Plants of South Africa: A Review

Journal of Chemistry ◽

10.1155/2013/205048 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

R. A. Street ◽

G. Prinsloo

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Medicinal Plants ◽

South African ◽

Full Potential ◽

Health Care Needs ◽

South African Population ◽

Care Needs ◽

Traditional Medicines ◽

Commercially Important ◽

Scientific Validation

There is a growing interest in natural plant-based remedies as a source for commercial products. Around 80% of the South African population use traditional medicines to meet their primary health care needs; however, only a few South African medicinal plants have been exploited to their full potential in terms of commercialization. The opportunity for bioprospecting of plant compounds for novel pharmaceuticals remains largely untapped. Certain renowned medicinal plants of international acclaim including buchu and rooibos are currently contributing to local enterprise; however, other exciting opportunities exist for commonly used plants which have not yet reached the international arena. This paper focuses on the key research and development contributions of 10 commercially important medicinal plants of South Africa. Traditional uses, scientific validation, commercialisation developments, as well as both potential opportunities and setbacks are discussed.

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Exploration of Antibacterial Potential of Melia Azedarach L.

Scientific Inquiry and Review ◽

10.32350/sir/11/010103 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 19-26

Author(s):

T. Munir ◽

A Mohyuddin ◽

Z Khan ◽

R Haq

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Herbal Medicines ◽

Antibacterial Activities ◽

Antimicrobial Activities ◽

Melia Azedarach ◽

Bacterial Strains ◽

Traditional Medicines ◽

Medicinal Value ◽

Great Attraction ◽

Causes Of Deaths

Melia azedarach L. belongs to one of the most versatile medicinal plants family meliaceae (mahogany) which has great attraction for researchers. The plant was selected for research because it was one of the least explored members. The presence of saponin, alkaloids, tannins and flavonoids in the leaves extracts of plant indicated its medicinal value. These compounds have pharmacological effects against cancer, viral and malarial infections that are one of the main causes of deaths. With passage of time most of bacterial strains develop resistance against traditional medicines so they are needed to be upgraded or replaced. There is a need to develop antimicrobial agents with more effectiveness and minimum side effects. There are some reports from last two decades that Melia azedarach is a potential source of novel antibodies. Its extracts have both antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Powdered leaves of M. azedarach were extracted with methanol and extract was preliminary examined by phytochemical tests and thin layer chromatography. The different concentrations of extracts showed good antibacterial activities against three pathogenic bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus thuringiensis. The results indicated that M. azedarach L. could be an effective source of herbal medicines against infectious diseases.

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Qualitative and Quantitative Study of Quercetin and Glycyrrhizin in In Vitro Culture of Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) and Elicitation with AgNO3

Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca ◽

10.15835/nbha47111275 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 143-151 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Farnaz TAHOORI ◽

Ahmad MAJD ◽

Taher NEJADSATTARI ◽

Hamideh OFOGHI ◽

Alireza IRANBAKHSH

Keyword(s):

Ethanolic Extract ◽

Practical Method ◽

Glycyrrhiza Glabra ◽

Root Extract ◽

Aerial Parts ◽

Medicinal Value ◽

Long Time ◽

Glycyrrhiza Glabra L ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative Study

Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) is a plant that has been considered for a long time due to its valuable secondary metabolites. This study was conducted to obtain quercetin and glycyrrhizin under controlled conditions and the use of silver nitrate (AgNO3) as an elicitor to increase their production. For this purpose, the seeds were cultured in MS media containing various concentrations of AgNO3 (0, 2, 4, 8 and 10 mg L-1). Quercetin in the aerial parts extract of three-month seedlings prepared with methanol solvent 95% and acetic acid (9:1), and glycyrrhizin in the root extract of four-month seedlings prepared with ethanolic extract (30%) were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively using HPLC. The results obtained from three replications showed the presence of quercetin and glycyrrhizin in all samples. The amount of quercetin in all samples treated with AgNO3 was significantly higher than control (P≤0.05) and this increase was higher at concentrations of 8 and 10 mg L-1 in comparison with other concentrations. Glycyrrhizin content increased under the influence of different concentrations of AgNO3 as compared to the control; however, this increase was not significant. Our results clearly showed that this method is a practical method to produce and elicit more these compounds with medicinal value.

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