Glycyrrhizin (GLY) and glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) as potential multi-target antimicrobials: mechanisms, biofilm disruption, and synergy against drug-resistant pathogens
2026 (Engelska)Ingår i: Frontiers in Microbiology, E-ISSN 1664-302X, Vol. 17, artikel-id 1861692
Artikel, forskningsöversikt (Refereegranskat) Published
Abstract [en]
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health challenge of the 21st century, driven by multidrug-resistant pathogens, persistent biofilm-associated infections, and a dwindling pipeline of new antibiotics. These limitations have renewed interest in natural products with multi-target antimicrobial activity. Glycyrrhiza glabra, a medicinal herb, produces glycyrrhizin (GLY), a triterpenoid saponin, and its active metabolite, glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), both of which exhibit antibacterial, antiviral, and antibiofilm activity. These compounds act through coordinated mechanisms, including disrupting microbial membranes, inhibiting metabolic pathways, modulating efflux systems, suppressing biofilm structure, and regulating host inflammatory responses. Their ability to enhance antibiotic efficacy further supports their role as adjunctive therapeutic agents. This review critically synthesizes current knowledge on the chemical properties, molecular mechanisms of action, pathogen-specific activity, biofilm interference, pharmacokinetics, safety considerations, and translational potential of these triterpenoids. Collectively, the available data could position G. glabra-derived triterpenoids as promising adjunctive candidates for next-generation multi-target antimicrobials.
Ort, förlag, år, upplaga, sidor
Lausanne, Switzerland: Frontiers Media S.A., 2026. Vol. 17, artikel-id 1861692
Nyckelord [en]
Biofilms, Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), Glycyrrhizin (GLY), Host–pathogen interactions, Multitarget antimicrobials, Natural products, Triterpenoids
Nationell ämneskategori
Mikrobiologi inom det medicinska området Infektionsmedicin Läkemedelskemi
Forskningsämne
biofarmaci; biologisk beroendeforskning; biomedicinsk laboratorievetenskap; klinisk bakteriologi; mikrobiologi; farmaceutisk mikrobiologi; molekylärbiologi
Identifikatorer
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-255624DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1861692OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-255624DiVA, id: diva2:2077304
Projekt
Discovery of Multi-target antimicrobials: mechanisms, biofilm disruption, and synergy against drug-resistant pathogens.
Forskningsfinansiär
Umeå universitet2026-06-232026-06-232026-06-23Bibliografiskt granskad