Li Jian-yuan, Cao Hong-yan, Liu Ping, Cheng Gen-hong, Sun Ming-yu
Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai 201203, China ; Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:872139. doi: 10.1155/2014/872139. Epub 2014 May 13.
Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) is a triterpene glycoside found in the roots of licorice plants (Glycyrrhiza glabra). GA is the most important active ingredient in the licorice root, and possesses a wide range of pharmacological and biological activities. GA coupled with glycyrrhetinic acid and 18-beta-glycyrrhetic acid was developed in China or Japan as an anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antiallergic drug for liver disease. This review summarizes the current biological activities of GA and its medical applications in liver diseases. The pharmacological actions of GA include inhibition of hepatic apoptosis and necrosis; anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory actions; antiviral effects; and antitumor effects. This paper will be a useful reference for physicians and biologists researching GA and will open the door to novel agents in drug discovery and development from Chinese herbs. With additional research, GA may be more widely used in the treatment of liver diseases or other conditions.
甘草酸（GA）是一种存在于甘草植物（光果甘草）根部的三萜糖苷。GA是甘草根中最重要的活性成分，具有广泛的药理和生物学活性。GA与甘草次酸和18-β-甘草次酸联合，在中国或日本被开发为一种用于治疗肝病的抗炎、抗病毒和抗过敏药物。本综述总结了GA目前的生物学活性及其在肝病中的医学应用。GA的药理作用包括抑制肝细胞凋亡和坏死；抗炎和免疫调节作用；抗病毒作用；以及抗肿瘤作用。本文将为研究GA的医生和生物学家提供有用的参考，并为从中药中发现和开发新型药物打开大门。随着进一步的研究，GA可能会更广泛地用于治疗肝病或其他病症。
