Liquiritin: A natural flavonoid with potential cardiovascular protection

Abstract

Liquiritin is a flavonoid glycoside extracted from traditional Chinese medicine, Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae. The provided evidence has demonstrated that liquiritin is found beneficial in treating cardiovascular diseases. Inflammation and oxidation play key roles in cardiovascular diseases. In this review, the natural sources, biosynthesis, pharmacology and molecular docking of liquiritin were reviewed for the first time. Additionally, we have highlighted the target prediction of liquiritin. Docking results displayed that the three targets with the largest difference in VINA scores were toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap-1), and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which suggested that liquiritin was likely to act on TLR4, Keap-1, and AMPK. The present study provides theoretical basis for future development and research of liquiriritin in treating cardiovascular diseases.