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| Licochalcone A - Licorice-Derived Chalcone Type: Natural chalcone / flavonoid-related phytochemical Sources: Found primarily in licorice species including Glycyrrhiza inflata and related Glycyrrhiza plants. Function: Licochalcone A is a bioactive chalcone with anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and metabolic effects. Reported mechanisms include modulation of PI3K/AKT, MAPK, NF-κB, STAT3, ROS, apoptosis, autophagy, and cell-cycle regulatory pathways. Cancer: Preclinical studies demonstrate inhibition of cancer-cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis, together with induction of apoptosis, autophagy, oxidative stress, and cell-cycle arrest. LCA has shown anticancer activity in breast, lung, gastric, colorectal, prostate, liver, ovarian, and other experimental cancer models. Alzheimer's Disease: Preclinical evidence suggests neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects relevant to neurodegeneration, including suppression of oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling, although the Alzheimer's-specific evidence is less developed than the cancer literature. Licochalcone A — a naturally occurring prenylated chalcone and phenolic phytochemical found principally in licorice species, especially Glycyrrhiza inflata. It is classified as a natural chalcone/flavonoid-related small molecule and is commonly abbreviated LCA, LicA, or Lico A. Its experimental pharmacology is strongly context-dependent: in many cancer models LCA promotes oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, autophagy, cell-cycle arrest, and suppression of proliferative and inflammatory signaling, whereas in non-malignant injury models it can activate NRF2-dependent antioxidant defenses. Anticancer development remains preclinical. Primary mechanisms (ranked):
Bioavailability / PK relevance: Free oral LCA has poor systemic exposure; a rat pharmacokinetic study reported absolute oral bioavailability of approximately 3.3%. Poor aqueous solubility, limited permeability, intestinal first-pass metabolism, glucuronidation, and other metabolic pathways constrain exposure. Formulation materially changes PK: a self-microemulsifying drug-delivery system increased oral bioavailability approximately 2.36-fold in rats, while nanoparticle approaches have produced still larger increases experimentally. LCA also inhibits P-glycoprotein and several CYP enzymes, particularly CYP3A and CYP2C9 in experimental systems, creating a potential drug-interaction concern. In-vitro vs systemic exposure relevance: Many anticancer experiments use approximately 10–100 μM LCA, with several reported IC50 values in the tens of micromolar range. These concentrations are difficult to reconcile with the low systemic exposure of unformulated oral LCA, so direct translation of conventional cell-culture concentrations to achievable human systemic exposure is uncertain. Delivery systems, local exposure, metabolites, and combination strategies may alter this limitation. Clinical evidence status: Cancer: preclinical only, with cell-culture and animal xenograft evidence but no established anticancer efficacy in humans. Human exposure evidence is substantially stronger for topical dermatologic/cosmetic use: randomized or prospective studies have evaluated LCA-containing formulations for acne, dermatitis, erythema, and rosacea. LCA is not an established systemic oncology drug. Current translational priorities are exposure optimization, human PK, dose-limiting safety characterization, and controlled oncology trials. Licochalcone A Cancer Mechanisms
P: 0–30 min R: 30 min–3 hr G: >3 hr Alzheimer's disease relevance: Licochalcone A now has meaningful disease-specific preclinical evidence rather than only general neuroprotective plausibility. Studies in transgenic AD mouse models report improved cognition together with reduced Aβ burden, reduced neuroinflammation, improved insulin/glucose signaling, inhibition of ER-stress-mediated neuronal apoptosis, and NRF2-associated protection. A 2026 APP/PS1 study reported improved memory, increased synaptic markers, reduced Aβ42 and plaque burden, improved glucose handling, and reduced glial activation after 15 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal LCA for four weeks. A separate transgenic mouse study found inhibition of PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP ER-stress signaling and neuronal apoptosis. Evidence remains preclinical; there is no established human AD efficacy. Primary AD mechanisms (ranked):
Clinical evidence status: Preclinical. Evidence includes cell studies and multiple transgenic mouse AD models, including disease-specific studies published in 2025 and 2026. Human efficacy, optimal systemic dose, CNS pharmacokinetics, and long-term safety have not been established. Licochalcone A Alzheimer Mechanisms
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| A bioenhancer is an agent capable of enhancing bioavailability and efficacy of a drug with which it is co-administered Query Database for BioEnhancers but the bioenhancers mainly show up under the target notes Bioenhancers - piperine and quercetin are considered bio-enhancers - genistein Piperine act by suppressing P-gp and cytochrome P450 enzymes, which counteract the metabolism of rifampicin via these proteins, thus enhancing the oral bioavailability of rifampicin. It also decreases the intestinal production of glucuronic acid, thus allowing more substances to enter the body in active form. It was found to increase the bioavailability of various drugs from 30% to 200%.[25] Table 1: Published research on bioenhancer effect of piperine with various medicines Drug Studied in Reference Antimicrobial agents Rifampicin In vitro Balakrishnan et al, 2001[11] Isoniazid Rabbits Karan et al, 1998 [12] Pefl oxacin Mountain Gaddi goats Madhukar et al, 2008[13] Tetracycline Rats Atal et al, 1980[14] Sulfadiazine Rats and dogs Atal et al, 1980[14] Oxytetracycline Poultry birds Singh et al, 2005[15] Ampicillin Rabbits Janakiraman and Manavalan, 2008[16] Norfl oxacin Rabbits Janakiraman and Manavalan, 2008 [16] Nevirapine Adult males Kasibhatta et al, 2007 [17] Metronidazole In vitro Singh et al, 2010[18] Analgesics Diclofenac sodium Albino mice Pooja et al, 2007[19] Pentazocine Albino mice Pooja et al, 2007[19] Nimesulide Mice Gupta et al, 1998[20] Antiepileptics Carbamazepine In vitro Pattanaik et al, 2009 [21] Phenytoin Human volunteers Bano et al, 1987[22] Pentobarbitone Rats Majumdar et al, 1990[23] Other drugs Propranolol In vitro Bano et al, 1991 [24] Theophylline In vitro Bano et al, 1991 [24] Nutrients In vitro Pooja et al, 2007 [19 ***Borneol -Borneol is thought to temporarily open tight junctions between endothelial cells, enhancing drug penetration. It may also downregulate efflux transporters such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), allowing higher intracellular concentrations of co-administered drugs. -presence of urea (as a carrier) increased the aqueous solubility of capsaicin by 3.6-fold compared to pure capsaicin Quercetin is found in citrus fruits and is a dual inhibitor of cytochrome P 3A4 (CYP3A4) and P-gp. Table 2: Effect of quercetin pretreatment/co-treatment on pharmacokinetic parameters of different drugs Drugs combined Increase in pharmacokinetic parametera Cmax AUC ABA Verapamil Two fold Two fold SH Diltiazem SH SH Not known Paclitaxel SH SH T wo fold Digoxin 413% 170% Not known Tamoxifen SH SH 59% Compared to drug in question alone. Cmax, peak plasma concentration; AUC, area under the curve; ABA, absolute bioavailability; SH, significantly higher. Another flavonoid, genistein belongs to the isoflavone class of flavonoids. It is a well-known phytoestrogen. The presence of genistein (10 mg/kg) caused an increase in AUC (54.7%) and a decrease in the total plasma clearance (35.2%) after oral administration of paclitaxel at a dose of 30 mg/kg in rats.[37] Naringin is the major flavonoid glycoside found in grapefruit and makes grapefruit juice taste bitter. Oral naringin (3.3 and 10 mg/kg) was pretreated 30 min before and after intravenous administration of paclitaxel (3 mg/kg), the AUC was significantly improved (40.8% and 49.1% for naringin doses of 3.3 and 10 mg/kg, respectively).[38 Carum carvi/Cuminum cyminum ( Jeera) Carum carvi seeds are a prized culinary herb. Extracts of its parts increased significantly (25%–300%), the bioavailability of a number of classes of drugs, such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, anticancer, cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory/ antiarthritic, anti-TB, antileprosy, antihistaminic/respiratory disorders, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and antiulcers. Such extracts either in the presence or absence of piperine have been found to be highly selective in their bioavailability/bioefficacy-enhancing action.[40] Capmul One of the widely used bioenhancers is Capmul MCM C10, a glyceryl monocaprate, produced from edible fats and oils and is commonly used in lip products. In a study in rats, antibiotic ceftriaxone when given concomitantly with capmul, increased the bioavailability of ceftriaxone by 80%.[41] Nitrile glycoside Nitrite glycoside is a bioenhancer for drugs and nutrients. Novel bioactive nitrile glycosides, niaziridin and niazirin is obtained from the leaves, pods, and bark of Moringa oleifera. [42] An immunoenhancing polysaccharide and niaziminin, having structural requirement to inhibit tumor promoter-induced Epstein–Barr virus activation have been reported from the leaves of Moringa.[43,44] It enhances the bioactivity of commonly used antibiotics, such as rifampicin, tetracycline, and ampicillin, and also facilitate the absorption of drugs, vitamins, and nutrients through the gastrointestinal membrane, thus increasing their bioavailability. [41] Niazirin is another bioactive nitrile glycoside belonging to M. oleifera. [45,46] Process of isolation of nitrite glycoside from M. oleifera has been patented (US 6858588) by Khanuja et al in 2004–2005. [42 Mechanism of Action Of Bioenhancers Bioavailability-enhancing activity of natural compounds from the medicinal plants may be attributed to various mechanisms, such as P-gp inhibition activity by flavone, quercetin, and genistein; [51] inhibition of efflux transporters, such as P-gp and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP),[52,53] by naringin and sinomenine thus preventing drug resistance; DNA receptor binding, modulation of cell signaling transduction, and inhibition of drug efflux pumps[54-56] ; by stimulating leucine amino peptidase and glycyl–glycine dipeptidase activity, thus modulating the cell membrane dynamics related to passive transport mechanism as seen with piperine [57] ; nonspecific mechanisms, such as increased blood supply to the gastrointestinal tract, decreased hydrochloric acid secretion, preventing breakdown of some drugs[6] ; and inhibition of metabolic enzymes participating in the biotransformation of drugs, thus preventing inactivation and elimination of drugs and thereby, increasing their bioavailability. [57-5] |
| 8235- | LCA, | Anticancer effects of licochalcones: A review of the mechanisms |
| - | Review, | Var, | NA |
| 8217- | LCA, | Inhibition of human cytochrome P450 enzymes by licochalcone A, a naturally occurring constituent of licorice |
| - | Study, | Nor, | NA |
Query results interpretion may depend on "conditions" listed in the research papers. Such Conditions may include : -low or high Dose -format for product, such as nano of lipid formations -different cell line effects -synergies with other products -if effect was for normal or cancerous cells
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