Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is derived from the root of the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant, commonly known as licorice. This extract is valued for its wide range of beneficial properties, including its soothing, anti-inflammatory, and skin-brightening effects. It is used in various cosmetic and skincare products for its therapeutic benefits.

Chemical Composition and Structure

• Active Compounds: The extract contains several key compounds, including glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid), flavonoids (such as liquiritin and isoliquiritin), and saponins. Glycyrrhizin is a triterpenoid saponin that contributes to the extract's anti-inflammatory and skin-brightening properties.
• Structure: Glycyrrhizin features a complex structure with a glycyrrhetic acid backbone linked to glycosidic groups. Flavonoids present in the extract contribute to its antioxidant effects.

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Typically a brown to dark brown liquid or powder, depending on the form of the extract.
• Odor: Slightly sweet and earthy, characteristic of licorice.
• Texture: Smooth and may vary from liquid to powder form, depending on the extraction method.

Production Process

1. Harvesting: The roots of the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant are collected, usually in the fall or early spring when their active compounds are at their peak.
2. Drying: The harvested roots are dried to preserve their beneficial components and facilitate extraction.
3. Extraction: The dried roots undergo extraction using solvents like water or alcohol, or alternative methods such as supercritical fluid extraction. The extract is then concentrated to retain the active ingredients.
4. Purification: The extracted material is filtered and refined to remove impurities and concentrate the active compounds.
5. Formulation: The purified extract is incorporated into cosmetic and skincare products, often combined with other ingredients to enhance its effects.

Applications

• Cosmetics: Used for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps reduce skin redness, irritation, and can contribute to a more even skin tone.

Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract is included in cosmetic formulations for flavouring and for its antibacterial action. Glabridin, a bioactive component found in the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, has anti-ageing, anti-oxidant properties and the ability to whiten skin and so-called 'dark spots', more effective than hydroquinone and arbutin.

INCI Functions:

Bleaching agent. This ingredient exerts a depigmentation and/or lightening action on the set of pigments produced by melanocytes and known as melanin, the substance responsible for skin colouration.

Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss.  Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

Smoothing. The function of this component is to make the surface of the skin more even, reducing roughness and irregularities.

Soothing. Ingredient with the task of restoring moisture to the skin, helping in the healing process of irritation, inflammation and skin disorders.

Perfuming. Unlike fragrance, which can also contain slightly less pleasant or characteristic odours, the term perfume indicates only very pleasant fragrances. Used for perfumes and aromatic raw materials.

• Skincare: Frequently included in products designed for sensitive or problematic skin due to its calming effects. It is also used in anti-aging formulations for its potential to improve skin texture and brightness.
• Medical: Utilized in traditional medicine for its potential benefits in treating skin conditions, such as eczema and dermatitis, and for its general anti-inflammatory properties.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

• Biodegradability: Generally considered biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
• Toxicity: Typically safe for topical use. However, excessive use can lead to potential side effects such as skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. It is important to adhere to recommended usage guidelines.
• Sustainability: Should be sourced from sustainable practices to ensure minimal environmental impact. Verification of ethical and environmentally-friendly production methods is recommended.

Studies

It has been a flavour and medicine in traditional medical science for centuries and contains around 70 flavonoids and triterpenoid glycosides that exert antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity (1).

Glycyrrhiza glabra extract has demonstrated both alone and together with Adriamycin (an antibiotic and antitumour agent), antiproliferative properties against PC-3 prostate cancer cells, which are mediated by both apoptosis and autophagy mechanisms (2).

This study considers Glycyrrhiza glabra to have antihyperglycaemic activity due to the presence of bioactive phytoconstituents, although further studies would be required to identify, isolate and characterise the specific bioactive phytoconstituents responsible for the plant's antihyperglycaemic activity (3).

Glycyrrhiza glabra root contains Glabridin, a bioactive component, a phytoestrogenic isoflavonoid, with biological antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-atherogenic, antitumour, anti-nephritic, antibacterial and skin whitening properties (4). Glabridin appears industrially in the form of a white powder.

Safety

Excessive intake of liquorice can cause a possible rise in blood pressure.

For more information:

Glycyrrhiza glabra studies

Typical commercial product characteristics Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract

References________________________________________________________________________

(1) Yin G, Cao L, Xu P, Jeney G, Nakao M, Lu C. Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatocyte damage in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Fish Physiol Biochem. 2011 Mar;37(1):209-16. doi: 10.1007/s10695-010-9436-1. 

Abstract. The present study is aiming at evaluating the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract (2.5, 5 and 10 μg/ml) on the carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced carp hepatocyte damage in vitro. Glycyrrhiza glabra extract was added to the carp primary hepatocytes before (pre-treatment), after (post-treatment) and both before and after (pre- and post-treatment) the incubation of the hepatocytes with CCl(4). CCl(4) at 8 mM in the culture medium produced significantly elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamate oxalate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and significantly reduced levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Pre-treatment (5 μg/ml) and pre- and post-treatment (5 and 10 μg/ml) of the hepatocytes with Glycyrrhiza glabra extract significantly reduced the elevated levels of LDH, GOT, GPT and MDA and increased the reduced levels of SOD and GSH-Px by CCl(4); post-treatment of the hepatocytes with Glycyrrhiza glabra extract at 5 μg/ml reduced the GPT and GOT levels and increased the GSH-Px level, but had no effect on the other parameters at all the studied concentrations. The results support the use of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract as a hepatoprotective and antioxidant agent in fish.

(2) Gioti K, Papachristodoulou A, Benaki D, Beloukas A, Vontzalidou A, Aligiannis N, Skaltsounis AL, Mikros E, Tenta R. Glycyrrhiza glabra-Enhanced Extract and Adriamycin Antiproliferative Effect on PC-3 Prostate Cancer Cells. Nutr Cancer. 2020;72(2):320-332. doi: 10.1080/01635581.2019.1632357. 

Abstract. Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men worldwide, which is almost incurable, once it progresses into the metastatic stage. Adriamycin (ADR) is a known chemotherapeutic agent that causes severe side effects. In recent years, studies in natural plant products have revealed their anticancer activities. In particular, Glycyrrhiza glabra enhanced extract (GGE), commonly known as licorice, has been reported to exert antiproliferative properties against cancer cells. In this study, the cytotoxic potential of GGE was assessed in PC-3 cells, when it is administrated alone or in combination with Adriamycin. PC-3 cells were treated with GGE and/or ADR, and the inhibition of cell proliferation was evaluated by the MTT assay. Cell cycle alterations and apoptosis rate were measured through flow cytometry. Expression levels of autophagy-related genes were evaluated with specific ELISA kits, Western blotting, and real-time PCR, while NMR spectrometry was used to identify the implication of specific metabolites. Our results demonstrated that GGE alone or in co-treatment with ADR shows antiproliferative properties against PC-3 cells, which are mediated by both apoptosis and autophagy mechanisms.

(3) Mustafa SB, Akram M, Muhammad Asif H, Qayyum I, Hashmi AM, Munir N, Khan FS, Riaz M, Ahmad S. Antihyperglycemic Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Selective Medicinal Plants Curcuma longa, Lavandula stoechas, Aegle marmelos, and Glycyrrhiza glabra and Their Polyherbal Preparation in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice. Dose Response. 2019 May 27;17(2):1559325819852503. doi: 10.1177/1559325819852503. PMID: 31191187; PMCID: PMC6539569.

Abstract. Background: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder associated with relative or absolute insulin deficiency or resistance, characterized by hyperglycemia. Modern prescriptions such as pioglitazone have better therapeutic potential, but its side effects and financial burden for developing countries have motivated the researchers to find alternative natural drugs to compete hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes. The present study was conducted to explore the therapeutic potential of selected medicinal plants for the treatment of diabetes as an alternative to allopathic medicines....Conclusion: It could be concluded that studied medicinal plants have antihyperglycemic activity. The study findings favor the use of traditional herbal medicinal practices for the management of diabetes that might due to the presence of bioactive phytoconstituents in plants. However, larger studies are required to identify, isolate, and characterize the bioactive phytoconstituents responsible for antihyperglycemic activity of studied medicinal plants.

(4) Simmler C, Pauli GF, Chen SN. Phytochemistry and biological properties of glabridin. Fitoterapia. 2013 Oct;90:160-84. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2013.07.003.