Medicinal Plant Research 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 283-290 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 287 clinically, has been reported lately (Zendejas-Hernandez et al., 2024). Clinical side effects following excessive or chronic consumption include hypertension, hypokalemia, and interactions with cytochrome P450 enzymes. It therefore requires very careful dosing and monitoring, particularly in at-risk populations (Pastorino et al., 2018; Husain et al., 2021). Toxicity testing of various Glycyrrhiza extracts demonstrated their good tolerability and biocompatibility, with below-detection limits for heavy metals and contaminants (Semenescu et al., 2024). Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the effect of oxalic acid on viral replication (Adopted from Stecanella et al., 2021) 6.3 Applications in functional foods, natural drugs, and pharmaceutical development Glycyrrhiza finds broad applications as a functional food ingredient, natural drug, and in pharmaceutical formulations due to its sweetening properties and health benefits. Extracts of the plant are used in the preparation of nutraceuticals, herbal medicines, and adjuvants in antiviral and anti-inflammatory therapies (Pastorino et al., 2018; Liu et al., 2025). These are enabled by drug delivery improvements-for example, nanoparticles that use glycyrrhizin as a basis-improving bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy, in particular, for antiviral and anti-inflammatory applications (Stecanella et al., 2021; Zhao et al., 2021). The wide pharmacological profile and safety of the plant justify the further development of the plant for food and pharmaceutical industries (Sharifi‐Rad et al., 2021; Liu et al., 2025). 7 Research Hotspots and Challenges 7.1 Challenges in mechanistic studies and complex component interactions In fact, though many bioactive compounds were elucidated in Glycyrrhiza, the elucidation of their precise modes of action has always been complicated by their chemical composition. A combination of several flavonoids, triterpenoids, polysaccharides, and minor metabolites may be synergetic or antagonistic, hindering attempts at dissection of specific molecular pathways. The respective interplay among its components and their combinatory mode of action against inflammatory mediators, immune responses, and viral replication are not fully explained; it thus requires integrative approaches involving biochemical assays, network pharmacology, and systems biology (Bakr et al., 2022). 7.2 Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of active components Most compounds of Glycyrrhiza, like glycyrrhizic acid and catechins, have low oral bioavailability, rapid metabolism, or poor tissue distribution. These limit the pharmacokinetic translation of in vitro efficacy to in vivo therapeutic potential. Absorption, metabolism, distribution, and excretion need to be taken into consideration to
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