Keiichi Ishido^1,, Yuka Sasakawa¹, Michiyo Abe¹, Fumiko Nakaoka¹, Mayumi Nakao¹, Kaori Yamamoto¹, Chizuko Fukuhama¹, Yasuo Sumida¹

Obesity is recognized as a significant public health concern. Although licorice extract from the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis exhibits anti-obesity effects, limited knowledge regarding its active components has hindered the development of standardized preparations. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the compound responsible for the anti-obesity activity of licorice extract. By isolating and characterizing a compound exhibiting lipolytic activity against 3T3-L1 adipocytes, glyasperin B was identified. In a diet-induced obesity mouse model, the efficacy of licorice extracts correlated with glyasperin B content, suggesting that glyasperin B is a key contributor to the anti-obesity effects of Glycyrrhiza uralensis. This study’s findings may facilitate the standardized preparation of licorice extracts for weight management, potentially aiding in the fight against obesity.

licorice, glyasperin B, flavonoid, lipolysis, obesity, Glycyrrhiza uralensis