The Medicinal Value and Clinical Use of Isoliquiritin

Isoliquiritin has garnered increasing interest in recent years due to its promising therapeutic properties. It is kind a flavonoid compound derived from the roots and rhizomes of plants from a traditional Chinese medicine licorice. This plant belongs to Leguminosae Glycyrrhiza genus and were listed in the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China. Traditionally, the dry root and the rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat., or Glycyrrhiza glabra L. has been used for the extraction of isoliquiritin. The active compound, isoliquiritin, is now emerging as a key player in modern clinical research, attributed to its diverse pharmacological activities and potential clinical applications. Recent studies have illuminated isoliquiritin’s multifaceted roles in modulating cellular processes and its potential benefits in treating a range of conditions. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are particularly noteworthy, as they contribute to mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation—two underlying factors in many chronic diseases. Additionally, isoliquiritin’s effects on several signal pathways of cells have led to exploration in the context of relative disorders, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The growing body of evidence supporting isoliquiritin’s efficacy prompts a reevaluation of its clinical potential and therapeutic viability. This paper aims to explore the current state of research on isoliquiritin, focusing on its pharmacokinetics, mechanisms of action, and clinical applications. By analyzing currently available data and assessing ongoing clinical trials, this review seeks to provide a comprehensive overview about the role of isoliquiritin in modern medicine and to identify the future directions about its research and application.