Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 14, 2025 9 hours, 59 minutes ago
Thailand Medical News: A powerful plant compound found in licorice root is emerging as a potential low-toxicity weapon against various cancers, offering new hope in the fight against the disease. Known as liquiritigenin (LIQ), this natural flavonoid is capturing the attention of researchers for its broad and multifaceted anticancer properties.
Liquiritigenin is a phytochemical primarily found in the roots of the licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza species).
In this
Thailand Medical News report, scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, King Khalid University in Saudi Arabia, University of Leicester in the UK, and the National University of Singapore have reviewed dozens of studies showing how LIQ affects different types of cancer cells. Their findings suggest that LIQ not only halts cancer cell growth but also triggers their self-destruction, alters tumor-related pathways, and can enhance the effects of traditional chemotherapy—while showing minimal toxicity to healthy cells.
What is Liquiritigenin and How Does It Work
Liquiritigenin is a phytochemical primarily found in the roots of the licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza species). It has been part of traditional medicine for centuries. Recent scientific investigations reveal that LIQ exhibits strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities.
In various lab and animal studies, LIQ has been shown to stop the growth of cancer cells by triggering apoptosis, the body’s natural process of eliminating damaged or dangerous cells. It also interferes with key cancer-driving molecular pathways such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK, and NF-κB. These are critical signals that tumors use to grow, spread, and resist treatment.
Broad-Spectrum Cancer Effects and Chemotherapy Support
LIQ has shown anticancer effects in breast, brain, lung, oral, liver, prostate, and ovarian cancers. In brain cancer, it reduced tumor growth and extended survival in mouse models. In breast and ovarian cancers, it not only stopped tumor cell spread but also increased cancer cell sensitivity to drugs like doxorubicin and cisplatin, potentially helping overcome drug resistance.
One study even showed that LIQ could affect the gut microbiota in bladder cancer models, offering a unique angle for treatment that includes microbiome modulation.
Challenges and Future Potential
Despite its promising effects, LIQ suffers from poor oral absorption. To address this, researchers are experimenting with nanocarriers and phospholipid complexes that dramatically increase its bioavailability—by as much as 595% in some cases. These new delivery systems could make LIQ more practical as a real-world treatment.
Conclusion
Liquiritigenin offers strong promise as a natural compound for cancer prevention and treatment. It works by hitting multiple targets inside cancer cells, promoting their death while protecting healthy tissue. As studies show it ca
n also boost the effectiveness of standard chemotherapy, LIQ could soon become a valuable part of cancer care. However, more clinical trials are needed to confirm its safety and full therapeutic potential in humans.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Cancers.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/17/14/2328
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/cancer
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