# Liquiritin

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/liquiritin
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-20
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Compound
**Also Known As:** Liquiritigenin 4'-O-glucoside, Licorice flavonoid glycoside, Glycyrrhiza glycoside, 甘草苷, Gan Cao Gan, LQ, Licorice root extract compound, Chinese licorice flavonoid

## Overview

Liquiritin is a flavanone glycoside derived primarily from licorice root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) that exerts antidepressant, [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation), and [neuroprotective effect](/ingredients/condition/cognitive)s. Its primary mechanisms involve inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome, modulation of serotonin and [dopamine pathway](/ingredients/condition/mood)s, and suppression of NF-κB-driven cytokine release.

## Health Benefits

• Reduces depression-like behaviors in mice models, as demonstrated in chronic unpredictable mild stress studies (PMID: 35069768).
• Decreases lung edema and [inflammation](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) in LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice (no PMID in snippet).
• Attenuates NLRP3 inflammasome-triggered cytokines, reducing depressive symptoms (PMID: 35069768).
• Provides anti-oxidative effects by increasing SOD and reducing [lipid peroxidation](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) (PMID: 35069768).
• Modulates immune responses, traditionally used for stress-related conditions (historical use).

## Mechanism of Action

Liquiritin suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activation, thereby reducing downstream release of [pro-inflammatory cytokine](/ingredients/condition/inflammation)s IL-1β and IL-18, which are implicated in neuroinflammation-driven depression. It also upregulates [serotonin](/ingredients/condition/mood) (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) [neurotransmitter](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) levels in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, likely through inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity. Additionally, liquiritin attenuates NF-κB nuclear translocation, reducing expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in peripheral inflammatory conditions such as acute lung injury.

## Clinical Summary

Current evidence for liquiritin is based almost entirely on preclinical animal models, with no large-scale human clinical trials published as of 2024. In chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mouse models, liquiritin administration significantly reduced depression-like behaviors as measured by the sucrose preference test and forced swim test (PMID: 35069768). Separately, mouse models of LPS-induced acute lung injury showed that liquiritin decreased lung edema, reduced [inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) cell infiltration, and lowered NLRP3-associated cytokine levels. The evidence is promising but remains at an early stage; human pharmacokinetic and efficacy data are needed before clinical recommendations can be made.

## Nutritional Profile

Liquiritin is a flavanone glycoside (flavonoid-O-glycoside) isolated primarily from Glycyrrhiza uralensis (licorice root), consisting of a liquiritigenin aglycone bound to a glucoside moiety. It is not a macronutrient source and contains no meaningful protein, fat, or dietary fiber in its isolated compound form. As a bioactive phytochemical, it is typically studied at concentrations of 20–80 mg/kg in rodent models. It exhibits [antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) by upregulating superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reducing lipid peroxidation markers (MDA). Its bioavailability is moderate; the glycoside form undergoes intestinal hydrolysis by gut microbiota to release the active aglycone liquiritigenin, which has better membrane permeability. No clinically established human dosage is confirmed. Trace minerals or vitamins are not intrinsic to the isolated compound. It also modulates [serotonin](/ingredients/condition/mood) (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) pathways, which underlies its antidepressant-like activity.

## Dosage & Preparation

In preclinical models, liquiritin was administered intraperitoneally at 40 mg/kg daily for 4 weeks for depression models and 40-80 mg/kg daily for 7 days for acute lung injury models. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Liquiritin's specific human safety profile has not been formally established in controlled clinical trials, though it is generally considered low-toxicity in animal studies at tested doses. Because it is derived from licorice (Glycyrrhiza species), caution is warranted in individuals sensitive to licorice compounds; unlike glycyrrhizin, liquiritin itself does not appear to cause pseudohyperaldosteronism, but isolated compound safety data are limited. Potential drug interactions include additive effects with MAO inhibitors or serotonergic drugs due to its monoaminergic activity, and co-administration with [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) medications or corticosteroids warrants caution given overlapping NF-κB inhibition pathways. Pregnancy and lactation safety has not been studied; use is not recommended in these populations without medical supervision.

## Scientific Research

There are no human clinical trials or meta-analyses available for liquiritin. Evidence is based exclusively on preclinical animal and in vitro studies. Notably, in one study, liquiritin was administered to mice in a chronic unpredictable mild stress model, showing significant behavioral improvements (PMID: 35069768).

## Historical & Cultural Context

Liquiritin originates from the licorice root, used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years as an [immunomodulatory](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) agent. Historically, it has been applied to treat [inflammation](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) and stress-related conditions.

## Synergistic Combinations

Liquiritin pairs well with (1) Glycyrrhizin (co-constituent of licorice root), which enhances [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) effects through complementary NF-κB suppression and amplifies NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition alongside liquiritin's cytokine-attenuating action. (2) Berberine synergizes via additive antidepressant mechanisms — both compounds modulate monoamine [neurotransmitter](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) levels (5-HT, NE, [dopamine](/ingredients/condition/mood)) through distinct but parallel pathways, and berberine's AMPK activation complements liquiritin's [oxidative stress](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) reduction. (3) Curcumin enhances the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant stack by independently upregulating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling while liquiritin boosts SOD activity, creating a dual-pathway antioxidant effect; additionally, piperine (from black pepper) can improve curcumin bioavailability in a combined formulation. (4) Quercetin acts additively on NLRP3 inflammasome suppression and shares the flavonoid structural class with liquiritin, supporting complementary gut microbiota [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management) to active aglycone forms that enhance systemic antioxidant capacity.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is liquiritin and where does it come from?

Liquiritin is a flavanone O-glycoside found predominantly in the roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Chinese licorice) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (common licorice). It consists of the aglycone liquiritigenin bound to a glucose moiety and is one of the principal bioactive flavonoids extracted from licorice root alongside glycyrrhizin and isoliquiritin.

### Can liquiritin help with depression?

Preclinical studies in CUMS mouse models demonstrate that liquiritin reduces depression-like behaviors, including improved sucrose preference and reduced immobility in forced swim tests, corresponding with elevated hippocampal serotonin and dopamine levels (PMID: 35069768). Its antidepressant mechanism is linked to NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition, which reduces neuroinflammatory cytokines like IL-1β that impair monoamine signaling. No human clinical trials have confirmed these effects, so it cannot currently be recommended as a treatment for depression.

### How does liquiritin reduce inflammation?

Liquiritin inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome complex, preventing caspase-1 activation and the subsequent cleavage and release of IL-1β and IL-18. It also blocks NF-κB nuclear translocation, reducing transcription of pro-inflammatory genes encoding TNF-α, IL-6, and COX-2. These dual mechanisms have been demonstrated in LPS-stimulated macrophage models and mouse models of acute lung injury.

### What is the typical dosage of liquiritin used in studies?

Animal studies have typically used doses ranging from 20 to 80 mg/kg body weight administered orally or intraperitoneally in rodent models. For example, antidepressant studies in mice have used approximately 40–80 mg/kg. No human equivalent dosage has been established, and these animal doses cannot be directly extrapolated to human supplementation due to differences in bioavailability and metabolism.

### Is liquiritin the same as liquiritigenin?

No, liquiritin and liquiritigenin are distinct but closely related compounds. Liquiritigenin is the aglycone form (lacking a sugar group), while liquiritin is liquiritigenin bound to a glucose molecule, making it a glycoside. Upon ingestion, gut bacteria and intestinal enzymes can hydrolyze liquiritin into free liquiritigenin, which is thought to be the more bioavailable and pharmacologically active form at target tissues.

### What foods contain liquiritin naturally?

Liquiritin is a chalcone found primarily in licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), making it the most abundant natural dietary source of this compound. While licorice root is used in traditional medicine and some food/beverage products, the liquiritin content varies significantly depending on extraction methods and plant part used. Consuming licorice products may provide some liquiritin, but clinical studies typically use standardized extracts to achieve consistent dosing levels not easily replicated through diet alone.

### Is liquiritin safe to take with antidepressant medications?

Limited clinical data exists on direct interactions between liquiritin and prescription antidepressants, so caution is warranted. Since liquiritin may have NLRP3 inflammasome-modulating properties that could theoretically affect neurotransmitter pathways, individuals taking SSRIs or other psychiatric medications should consult a healthcare provider before adding liquiritin supplementation. No serious adverse interactions have been documented in available research, but personalized medical guidance is essential.

### How strong is the current scientific evidence for liquiritin's effectiveness?

Current evidence for liquiritin is primarily derived from preclinical mouse models, particularly studies using chronic unpredictable mild stress protocols, which limits direct translation to human outcomes. While these animal studies show promising anti-inflammatory and antidepressant-like effects through NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition and oxidative stress reduction, human clinical trials are needed to establish efficacy and optimal dosing. The research quality is encouraging but preliminary, so liquiritin should not yet be considered a proven therapeutic agent for depression in humans.

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