liquiritin

Liquiritin is a flavonoid glycoside found in licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and related species. It is the β-D-glucoside of liquiritigenin, a flavanone; hydrolysis yields liquiritigenin.

Natural occurrence and context: Liquiritin is one of the major licorice flavonoids, often reported together with isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, and glabridin in Glycyrrhiza species. It contributes to the chemical profile of licorice extracts.

Chemical properties and metabolism: As a glycoside, liquiritin is more water-soluble than its aglycone liquiritigenin; in humans, intestinal microbiota can hydrolyze liquiritin to liquiritigenin and glucose, with liquiritigenin further metabolized to glucuronides and sulfates.

Biological activities: In vitro studies have explored anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of liquiritin and the aglycone liquiritigenin; results are variable and often require high concentrations; clinical relevance remains unestablished.

Applications and safety: Liquiritin is used as a chemical constituent marker in quality control of licorice extracts and as a standard in chromatographic analysis; it is also studied in pharmacokinetic contexts. While licorice root contains other constituents like glycyrrhizin, liquiritin itself is not a major toxicant; safety assessments for licorice preparations focus on the overall profile of constituents.