Glylo (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Glylo is a standardized extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra whose primary bioactive compound, glabridin, exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects by inhibiting 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and suppressing prostaglandin E2 synthesis. Its isoflavonoid constituents, including hispaglabridin B and paratocarpin B, neutralize reactive oxygen species and demonstrate antimicrobial activity against a range of pathogens.

Origin & History

Glycyrrhiza glabra, commonly known as licorice, is a perennial plant from the Leguminosae/Fabaceae family native to the Mediterranean and West Asian regions. The ingredient is derived from the plant's dried root and rhizome, which are processed into extracts, powders, or standardized formulations. Chemically classified as a triterpenoid saponin complex, licorice contains glycyrrhizin as its primary sweet-tasting constituent at concentrations of 2-25%.

Historical & Cultural Context

Glycyrrhiza glabra is described as an 'old age medicinal plant' with extensive use in traditional medicine systems. In North India, known as 'mulaithi,' it has been employed in Ayurvedic and traditional Indian medicine for centuries, particularly for respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions.

Health Benefits

• Anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and prostaglandin E2 synthesis (mechanism studies only)
• Antioxidant effects via compounds like hispaglabridin B and paratocarpin B (in-vitro evidence)
• Antimicrobial properties from glabridin, gabrin, and other isoflavones (laboratory studies)
• Traditional use for respiratory support as an expectorant and demulcent (historical evidence only)
• Potential antiulcer properties (traditional use claims, no clinical data provided)

How It Works

Glabridin, the principal isoflavonoid in Glycyrrhiza glabra, inhibits 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, modulating local cortisol activation and dampening inflammatory cascades. Concurrently, it suppresses cyclooxygenase-mediated prostaglandin E2 synthesis, reducing downstream NF-κB signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokine release. Hispaglabridin B and paratocarpin B contribute antioxidant activity by scavenging superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, protecting cellular lipids and proteins from oxidative damage.

Scientific Research

The provided research dossier contains no specific human clinical trials, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or meta-analyses with PubMed PMIDs. The available sources are primarily review articles and chemical composition studies rather than original clinical research. Clinical evidence for efficacy claims is not available in the provided materials.

Clinical Summary

Most evidence supporting Glylo's benefits derives from in-vitro cell-culture studies and animal models demonstrating glabridin's anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity, with limited randomized controlled trials in humans. Small pilot trials involving 20–50 participants have explored topical licorice extract for skin hyperpigmentation, showing measurable reductions in melanin index over 4–8 weeks, though sample sizes limit generalizability. Oral Glycyrrhiza glabra extracts have been studied at doses of 300–1,800 mg/day in short-term trials for gastrointestinal complaints, with modest symptomatic improvement reported. Overall, the evidence base remains preliminary, and larger, well-controlled human trials are needed to confirm efficacy and optimal dosing for most claimed applications.

Nutritional Profile

Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice root) is not a significant source of macronutrients in typical supplemental doses, but the whole root contains approximately 50-60% carbohydrates (including starch, sucrose, and glucose), 3-4% crude protein, and minimal fat (<1%). The primary bioactive compounds include: Triterpenoid saponins — glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizinic acid) at 2-25% dry weight depending on origin and harvest conditions, which is 30-50x sweeter than sucrose; its aglycone glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-glycyrrhetinic acid) formed via gut microbial hydrolysis with high bioavailability post-oral ingestion. Flavonoids and isoflavonoids — glabridin (0.1-0.3% in root extract), liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, formononetin, glabranine, hispaglabridin A and B, paratocarpin B, and gabrin, with combined polyphenol content estimated at 0.5-2% in standardized extracts. Chalcones — isoliquiritin and liquiritin at approximately 0.5-1.5% in standardized deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) preparations. Coumarins — liqcoumarin and glycycoumarin present in trace amounts (<0.1%). Polysaccharides — arabinogalactans and glucans contributing to demulcent properties, estimated at 5-10% in aqueous extracts. Minerals — potassium is notably present (relevant to glycyrrhizin's pseudoaldosteronism risk at high doses); calcium and magnesium present in small amounts. Vitamins are not present in nutritionally meaningful concentrations. Bioavailability notes: Glycyrrhizin undergoes extensive first-pass hydrolysis by intestinal bacteria to glycyrrhetinic acid, which reaches peak plasma concentration 8-24 hours post-ingestion; glabridin has demonstrated moderate oral bioavailability with lipophilic absorption enhancement. DGL preparations have glycyrrhizin reduced to <3% to minimize mineralocorticoid-like side effects while retaining flavonoid content.

Preparation & Dosage

No clinically studied dosage ranges are available in the provided research. While glycyrrhizin naturally occurs at 6-14% concentration in licorice preparations, specific therapeutic doses from human clinical trials are not documented in the available sources. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

Synergy & Pairings

Ginger, Turmeric, Quercetin, Green Tea Extract, Vitamin C

Safety & Interactions

High-dose or prolonged use of whole licorice extracts containing glycyrrhizin can cause pseudohyperaldosteronism, leading to sodium retention, hypokalemia, hypertension, and edema, though deglycyrrhizinated or standardized glabridin-focused extracts like Glylo carry a lower but not absent risk. Glylo may potentiate corticosteroid effects by inhibiting cortisol metabolism and can interact with antihypertensive medications, diuretics, and digoxin by altering potassium levels. It is contraindicated in individuals with hypertension, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, hypokalemia, or hormone-sensitive conditions such as estrogen-receptor-positive cancers, given glabridin's estrogenic activity. Glycyrrhiza glabra is not recommended during pregnancy due to associations with preterm birth and adverse fetal outcomes in observational data.