Licoricidin is an isoflavonoid compound isolated from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, possessing various biological activities such as anticancer, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Licoricidin exerts its anticancer effects by inducing cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy, as well as inhibiting tumor angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Licoricidin can be used in research on cancers such as colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and prostate cancer, as well as in studies related to antibacterial and anti-photoaging activities[1-4].
In vitro, 4T1 murine mammary carcinoma cells were treated with Licoricidin (0–5μg/ml) for 18 hours. Licoricidin significantly inhibited cell migration, MMP-9 secretion, and VCAM expression[5]. Human cervical cancer HeLa, C-33A, and SiHa cells were treated with Licoricidin (20μM) for 24 hours. Licoricidin increased the proportion of apoptotic cells in C-33A and SiHa cells; combined treatment with paclitaxel (10μM) further inhibited the growth of C-33A and HeLa cells, induced apoptosis, and triggered endoplasmic reticulum stress[6].
In vivo, Licoricidin (1mg/mouse; administered orally 5 days per week) was given to atopic dermatitis mouse models induced by dinitrochlorobenzene and/or house dust mite extract for 4 consecutive weeks. Licoricidin significantly alleviated atopic dermatitis symptoms, including reduced ear thickness, serum IgE levels, dermal and epidermal thickness, immune cell infiltration, and decreased mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines[7]. Licoricidin (10mg/kg and 20mg/kg; administered intraperitoneally every 2 days) was injected into BALB/c-Nu nude mice bearing MGC-803 gastric cancer cell xenograft tumors for 18 days. Licoricidin significantly inhibited tumor growth[8].
References:
[1] Ji S, Tang S, Li K, et al. Licoricidin inhibits the growth of SW480 human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo by inducing cycle arrest, apoptosis and autophagy. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2017 Jul 1;326:25-33.
[2] Wang Y, Wang S, Liu J, et al. Licoricidin enhances gemcitabine-induced cytotoxicity in osteosarcoma cells by suppressing the Akt and NF-κB signal pathways. Chem Biol Interact. 2018 Jun 25;290:44-51.
[3] Kim KJ, Xuan SH, Park SN. Licoricidin, an isoflavonoid isolated from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisher, prevents UVA-induced photoaging of human dermal fibroblasts. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2017 Apr;39(2):133-140.
[4] Liu C, He D, Zhao Q. Licoricidin improves neurological dysfunction after traumatic brain injury in mice via regulating FoxO3/Wnt/β-catenin pathway. J Nat Med. 2020 Sep;74(4):767-776.
[5] Park SY, Kwon SJ, Lim SS, et al. Licoricidin, an Active Compound in the Hexane/Ethanol Extract of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Inhibits Lung Metastasis of 4T1 Murine Mammary Carcinoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci. 2016 Jun 14;17(6):934.
[6] Tai CT, Chen YC, Hsieh YH, et al. Licoricidin Enhances Paclitaxel-induced Apoptosis Through Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Human Cervical Cancer Cells. In Vivo. 2025 Nov-Dec;39(6):3195-3204.
[7] Lee HS, Kim J, Choi HG, et al. Licoricidin Abrogates T-Cell Activation by Modulating PTPN1 Activity and Attenuates Atopic Dermatitis In Vivo. J Invest Dermatol. 2021 Oct;141(10):2490-2498.e6.
[8] Ma H, Wu F, Bai Y, et al. Licoricidin combats gastric cancer by targeting the ICMT/Ras pathway in vitro and in vivo. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Oct 13;13:972825.