Neuroprotective Potential of Glycyrrhizic Acid in Ischemic Stroke: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Prospects

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide, with current therapies limited in addressing its complex pathophysiological mechanisms, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and impaired autophagy. Glycyrrhizic acid (GA...

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Main Authors: Yanwen Li, Juan Wu, Fang Du, Tao Tang, Jonathan Chee Woei Lim, Thilakavathy Karuppiah, Jiaxin Liu, Zhong Sun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Pharmaceuticals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/17/11/1493
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author Yanwen Li
Juan Wu
Fang Du
Tao Tang
Jonathan Chee Woei Lim
Thilakavathy Karuppiah
Jiaxin Liu
Zhong Sun
author_facet Yanwen Li
Juan Wu
Fang Du
Tao Tang
Jonathan Chee Woei Lim
Thilakavathy Karuppiah
Jiaxin Liu
Zhong Sun
author_sort Yanwen Li
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide, with current therapies limited in addressing its complex pathophysiological mechanisms, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and impaired autophagy. Glycyrrhizic acid (GA), a bioactive compound from licorice (<i>Glycyrrhiza glabra</i> L.), has demonstrated neuroprotective properties in preclinical studies. This review consolidates current evidence on GA’s pharmacological mechanisms and assesses its potential as a therapeutic agent for ischemic stroke. <b>Methods</b>: This review examines findings from recent preclinical studies and reviews on GA’s neuroprotective effects, focusing on its modulation of inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy. Studies were identified from major scientific databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase, covering research from January 2000 to August 2024. <b>Results</b>: GA has demonstrated significant neuroprotective effects through the modulation of key pathways, including HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB and Keap1/Nrf2, thereby reducing neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Additionally, GA promotes autophagy and modulates immune responses, suggesting it could serve as an adjunct therapy to enhance the efficacy and safety of existing treatments, such as thrombolysis. <b>Conclusions</b>: Current findings underscore GA’s potential as a multi-targeted neuroprotective agent in ischemic stroke, highlighting its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties. However, while preclinical data are promising, further clinical trials are necessary to validate GA’s therapeutic potential in humans. This review provides a comprehensive overview of GA’s mechanisms of action, proposing directions for future research to explore its role in ischemic stroke management.
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spelling doaj-art-dbb1ef21486949318d802b2c41acdeb62025-08-20T01:53:54ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472024-11-011711149310.3390/ph17111493Neuroprotective Potential of Glycyrrhizic Acid in Ischemic Stroke: Mechanisms and Therapeutic ProspectsYanwen Li0Juan Wu1Fang Du2Tao Tang3Jonathan Chee Woei Lim4Thilakavathy Karuppiah5Jiaxin Liu6Zhong Sun7Department of Basic Medicine, Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, ChinaDepartment of Basic Medicine, Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, ChinaDepartment of Basic Medicine, Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, ChinaDepartment of Basic Medicine, Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, ChinaDepartment of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM, Serdang 43400, MalaysiaDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM, Serdang 43400, MalaysiaDepartment of Basic Medicine, Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, ChinaDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM, Serdang 43400, Malaysia<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide, with current therapies limited in addressing its complex pathophysiological mechanisms, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and impaired autophagy. Glycyrrhizic acid (GA), a bioactive compound from licorice (<i>Glycyrrhiza glabra</i> L.), has demonstrated neuroprotective properties in preclinical studies. This review consolidates current evidence on GA’s pharmacological mechanisms and assesses its potential as a therapeutic agent for ischemic stroke. <b>Methods</b>: This review examines findings from recent preclinical studies and reviews on GA’s neuroprotective effects, focusing on its modulation of inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy. Studies were identified from major scientific databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase, covering research from January 2000 to August 2024. <b>Results</b>: GA has demonstrated significant neuroprotective effects through the modulation of key pathways, including HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB and Keap1/Nrf2, thereby reducing neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Additionally, GA promotes autophagy and modulates immune responses, suggesting it could serve as an adjunct therapy to enhance the efficacy and safety of existing treatments, such as thrombolysis. <b>Conclusions</b>: Current findings underscore GA’s potential as a multi-targeted neuroprotective agent in ischemic stroke, highlighting its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties. However, while preclinical data are promising, further clinical trials are necessary to validate GA’s therapeutic potential in humans. This review provides a comprehensive overview of GA’s mechanisms of action, proposing directions for future research to explore its role in ischemic stroke management.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/17/11/1493glycyrrhizic acid<i>Glycyrrhiza glabra</i>ischemic strokecerebral ischemia-reperfusion injuryneuroprotectionHMGB1
spellingShingle Yanwen Li
Juan Wu
Fang Du
Tao Tang
Jonathan Chee Woei Lim
Thilakavathy Karuppiah
Jiaxin Liu
Zhong Sun
Neuroprotective Potential of Glycyrrhizic Acid in Ischemic Stroke: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Prospects
Pharmaceuticals
glycyrrhizic acid
<i>Glycyrrhiza glabra</i>
ischemic stroke
cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury
neuroprotection
HMGB1
title Neuroprotective Potential of Glycyrrhizic Acid in Ischemic Stroke: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Prospects
title_full Neuroprotective Potential of Glycyrrhizic Acid in Ischemic Stroke: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Prospects
title_fullStr Neuroprotective Potential of Glycyrrhizic Acid in Ischemic Stroke: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Prospects
title_full_unstemmed Neuroprotective Potential of Glycyrrhizic Acid in Ischemic Stroke: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Prospects
title_short Neuroprotective Potential of Glycyrrhizic Acid in Ischemic Stroke: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Prospects
title_sort neuroprotective potential of glycyrrhizic acid in ischemic stroke mechanisms and therapeutic prospects
topic glycyrrhizic acid
<i>Glycyrrhiza glabra</i>
ischemic stroke
cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury
neuroprotection
HMGB1
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/17/11/1493
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