Yasthimadhu
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Yasthimadhu |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Glycyrrhiza glabra L. |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Liquorice, Fabaceae) is a widely recognized medicinal herb in Ayurvedic medicine and modern phytotherapy, valued for its gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and hepatoprotective properties. Its bioactivity is primarily mediated by triterpenoid saponins, notably glycyrrhizin, and prenylated flavonoids like glabridin.
Botanical & Phytochemical Profile
- Scientific Name: Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Family: Fabaceae)
- Ayurvedic Name: Yashtimadhu, Madhuka
- Triterpenoid Saponins: Glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid), 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid
- Flavonoids & Isoflavonoids: Glabridin, liquiritin, isoliquiritigenin, licochalcone A, glabrene
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Madhuka, Klitaka
Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions
| Sr.no. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa. Sutra sthana 1/81 | Phalini (Virechana) (Therapeutic purgation) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa. Sutra sthana 2/7 | Vamana (Therapeutic emesis) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa. Sutra sthana 4/9 (1) | Jeevaniya mahakashaya |
| 4 | Cha.Sa. Sutra sthana 4/9(5) | Sandhaniya mahakashaya |
| 5 | Cha.Sa. Sutra sthana 4/9(8) | Varnya mahakashaya |
| 6 | Cha.Sa. Sutra sthana 4/9(9) | Kanthya mahakashaya |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Sutra sthana 4/9(14) | Kandughna mahakashaya |
| 8 | Cha.Sa. Sutra sthana 4/9(21) | Snehopaga mahakashaya |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Sutra sthana 4/9(23) | Vamanopaga mahakashaya |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Sutra sthana 4/9(25) | Asthapanopaga mahakashaya |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Sutra sthana 4/9(34) | Mootravirajaniya mahakashayaa |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Sutra sthana 4/9(44) | Angamardaprashamana mahakashaya |
| 13 | Cha.Sa.Sutra sthana 4/9(46) | Shonitasthapana mahakashaya |
| 14 | Cha.Sa.Sutra sthana 5/21 | Dhumavarti dravya |
| 15 | Cha.Sa. Sutra sthana 5/63 | Anu taila dravya |
Ayurvedic pharmacological properties
| Sr.no. | Pharmacological criteria | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (rasa) | Sweet (madhura) |
| 2 | Potency (veerya) | Cold (sheeta) |
| 3 | Post digestion effect (vipaka) | Sweet (madhura) |
| 4 | Qualities (guna) | Heavy (guru), Unctuous (snigdha) |
| 5 | Actions (karma) | Pacify vata and pitta |
Current availability
Available
Current researches
Pharmacological Actions & Therapeutic Efficacy
Gastroprotective & Anti-Ulcer Activity
- Mucosal Defense: Enhances gastric mucosal secretion, increases regional blood flow, and suppresses lipid peroxidation, accelerating the healing of peptic ulcers.[1]
- Enzyme Regulation: Inhibits 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, preserving protective mucosal prostaglandin levels (PGE2).[2]
- Anti-H. pylori: Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) preparations inhibit Helicobacter pylori mucosal adherence without causing mineralocorticoid-related side effects.[2]
Anti-Inflammatory & Immunomodulatory Effects
- Pathways: Glabridin and glycyrrhizin suppress inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) by inhibiting nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways.[3][4]
- Cytokine Regulation: Downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in systemic inflammatory models.[3]
Antiviral Properties
- Protease Inhibition: Glycyrrhizic acid directly binds to and inhibits viral replication through inhibition of the viral main protease (Mpro) and disruption of viral attachment to host cells.[5]
- Host Response: Dampens hyper-inflammatory pulmonary damage by inhibiting extracellular High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) cytokine release.[3]
Hepatoprotective & Antioxidant Activity
- Oxidative Stress Reduction: Glabridin scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) pathways to mitigate liver fibrosis and tissue injury.[6][4]
- Clinical Findings: Standardized licorice extracts lower serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in metabolic and viral liver disorders.[2]
Phytochemical & Pharmacological Summary
| Bioactive Constituent | Phytochemical Class | Molecular Targets | Primary Therapeutic Efficacy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glycyrrhizin | Triterpenoid Saponin | Mpro protease, HMGB1, 11β-HSD | Gastroprotective, Antiviral, Anti-ulcer |
| Glabridin | Isoflavane | COX-2, iNOS, ROS, PPAR-γ | Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Anti-atherogenic |
| Isoliquiritigenin | Chalcone | NF-κB, Nrf2 pathway | Spasmolytic, Immunomodulatory, Anti-tumor |
| Liquiritin | Flavanone | TRPV1 / Capsaicin receptors | Antitussive, Expectorant, Neuroprotective |
Safety & Toxicology
Prolonged, high-dose administration of intact glycyrrhizin (≥ 500 mg/day) can cause pseudohyperaldosteronism via renal 11β-HSD2 inhibition, resulting in sodium retention, hypokalemia, and hypertension.[1][2] Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) or standardized daily glycyrrhizin intakes capped under 100–200 mg demonstrate an optimal clinical safety profile.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Asl MN, Hosseinzadeh H (2008). "Review of Pharmacological Effects of Glycyrrhiza sp. and its Bioactive Compounds". Phytotherapy Research. 22 (6): 709–724. doi:10.1002/ptr.2362.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Kwon YJ, Son DH, Chung TH, Lee YJ (2020). "A Review of the Pharmacological Efficacy and Safety of Licorice Root from Corroborative Clinical Trial Findings". Journal of Medicinal Food. 23 (1): 12–20. doi:10.1089/jmf.2019.4459.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Bisht D, Rashid M, Arya R, et al. (2022). "Revisiting liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) as anti-inflammatory, antivirals and immunomodulators: Potential pharmacological applications with mechanistic insight". Phytomedicine Plus. 2 (1): 100206. doi:10.1016/j.phyplu.2021.100206. Vancouver style error: initials (help)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Zhang J, Wu X, Zhong B, et al. (2023). "Review on the Diverse Biological Effects of Glabridin". Drug Design, Development and Therapy. 17: 15–37. doi:10.2147/dddt.s385981.
- ↑ van de Sand L, Bormann M, Alt M, et al. (2021). "Glycyrrhizin Effectively Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Replication by Inhibiting the Viral Main Protease". Viruses. 13 (4): 609. doi:10.3390/v13040609.
- ↑ Simmler C, Pauli GF, Chen SN (2013). "Phytochemistry and biological properties of glabridin". Fitoterapia. 90: 160–184. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2013.07.003.