LICORICE

Botanical name: Glycyrrhiza glabra L.

Family name: FABACEAE

Thai name: Cha-em-taet

               Licorice is an herbaceous plant commonly found in Asia, southern Europe, Russia, and Hungary. In traditional Thai medicine, the root is used as an antitussive, an expectorant, and a dyspeptic remedy for children. In cosmetics, the root extracted with propylene glycol will generate 18-a-Glycyrrhizin (used in clear liquid cleansing and conditioner products), and 18-b-Glycyrrhizin (used in acidic condition as a gelatinizer and a emulsifier). Medical research has also found that the root extract can inhibit Tyrosinase enzyme up to 50 % or higher (at the 333 mg/ml concentration). In cosmetics, it is, therefore, used in skin lightening products due to the activity of Glabridin.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS OF LICORICE EXTRACT

CLINICAL TRIAL

CLINICAL TRIAL

Effect of licorice extract on the monophenolase (¢) and diphenolase (p) activity of mushroom tyrosinase. Inhibition of L-tyrosine and L-DOPA oxidation to dopachrome by licorice extract was measured at 492 nm. Ethanol was used as a control. Data presented as percent inhibition ± SE.

Effect of licorice constituents on the monophenolase activity of tyrosinase. Enzyme activity was tested in the presence of L-tyrosine, as substrate, and the inhibitors: glabridin 0.7 mM (q); glabrene 7 mM (r); and isoliquiritigenin 26 mM (·). Ethanol was used as a control ()

 

Code	Product Name	Appearance	Recommendation
HE-EL01-GLG	Licorice extract liquid	Yellow liquid	0.5 - 5%

 

Preservatives: None