Glycyrrhiza, a commonly used medicinal herb: Review of species classification, pharmacology, active ingredient biosynthesis, and synthetic biology

Licorice has an abundance of active constituents, primarily triterpenoids, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. Modern pharmacological research unveiled its multifaceted effects encompassing anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anticancer, antiviral, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective activities. Many resources of Glycyrrhiza species remain largely untapped, and multiomic studies of the Glycyrrhiza lineage are expected to facilitate new discoveries in the fields of medicine and human health. Therefore, strategies for breeding high-yield licorice plants and developing effective biosynthesis methods for bioactive compounds will provide valuable insights into resource conservation and drug development. Metabolic engineering and microorganism-based green production provide alternative strategies to improve the production efficiency of natural products.