Plants have been one of the important sources of medicines for human being and animals since the ancient time.Herbal medicines have attained popularity at global level to replace the synthetic chemicals as they have shown less adverse reactions.Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn is a herb belonging to the family Leguminosae, also known as Liquorice and sweetwood, is native to the Mediterranean and certain areas of Asia.Historically, the dried rhizome and root of this plant were employed medicinally by the Egyptian, Chinese, Greek, Indian and Roman civilizations as an expectorant and carminative.It is widely used in ayurvedic formulations and herb for different diseases.Present review article deals with chemical constituents present in various parts of Glycyrrhiza glabra and pharmacological activities.Present article object to comply all the updated information on its phytochemical and pharmacological activities which were performed by widely different methods.Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn possesses antibacterial, antioxidant, antimalarial, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and anti-hyper glycemic properties.Various other effects like antiulcer, antiviral, antifungal have also been discussed.A large number of components have been isolated from liquorice including triterpene saponins, flavonoids, isoflavonoids and chalcones, glycyrrhizic acid normally being considered to be the main biologically active component.This will be helpful to create interest towards liquorice and may be useful in developing new formulations with more therapeutic and economical value.
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