Licorice
has antibacterial properties
Licorice is used in the pharmaceutical industry as an antibacterial owing to several bioactive compounds it contains, such as glycyrrhizin, glabridin, and flavonoids. These compounds have antimicrobial properties that help inhibit the growth of various pathogenic bacteria.
Antibacterial compounds in licorice
GLYCYRRHIZIN
- Antimicrobial action: glycyrrhizin has demonstrated antimicrobial activity against a variety of pathogenic bacteria, including gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It works by disrupting the cell membrane of the bacteria, thereby inhibiting its growth and proliferation.
FLAVONOIDS (GLABRIDIN AND LIQUIRITIN)
- Inhibition of bacterial growth: the flavonoids found in licorice, such as glabridin and liquiritin, have antibacterial properties. They can inhibit the growth of bacteria by interfering bacterial metabolic functions and inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis.
CHALCONES AND ISOFLAVONOIDS
- Bactericidal action: The chalcones and isoflavonoids in licorice also have antibacterial effects by disrupting the metabolic processes of bacteria and damaging their cell membranes.
Pharmaceutical applications
TREATMENT OF SKIN INFECTIONS
- Creams, ointments and liniments: licorice is used in creams and ointments to treat bacterial skin infections, helping to reduce inflammation and accelerate healing.
ORAL HEALTH & DENTAL HYGIENE
- Toothpaste and mouthwash: the antibacterial properties of licorice make it an effective ingredient in toothpastes and mouthwashes to prevent oral infections and reduce the formation of dental plaque.
TREATING RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS
- Throat syrups and lozenges: licorice extracts are used in syrups and throat lozenges to treat respiratory infections, by soothing mucous membranes, and by inhibiting the growth of bacteria that cause infections.
TREATING GASTROINTESTINAL INFECTIONS
- Dietary supplements and medications: licorice is included in formulations intended to treat gastrointestinal infections due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, helping to reduce symptoms and restore microbial balance.
- Creams, ointments and liniments: licorice is used in creams and ointments to treat bacterial skin infections, helping to reduce inflammation and accelerate healing.
ORAL HEALTH & DENTAL HYGIENE
- Toothpaste and mouthwash: the antibacterial properties of licorice make it an effective ingredient in toothpastes and mouthwashes to prevent oral infections and reduce the formation of dental plaque.
TREATING RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS
- Throat syrups and lozenges: licorice extracts are used in syrups and throat lozenges to treat respiratory infections, by soothing mucous membranes, and by inhibiting the growth of bacteria that cause infections.
TREATING GASTROINTESTINAL INFECTIONS
- Dietary supplements and medications: licorice is included in formulations intended to treat gastrointestinal infections due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, helping to reduce symptoms and restore microbial balance.