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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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| Source: TCGA |
| Type: Antiapoptotic |
| Nrf2 is responsible for regulating an extensive panel of antioxidant enzymes involved in the detoxification and elimination of oxidative stress. Thought of as "Master Regulator" of antioxidant response. -One way to estimate Nrf2 induction is through the expression of NQO1. NQO1, the most potent inducer: SFN 0.2 μM, quercetin (2.5 μM), curcumin (2.7 μM), Silymarin (3.6 μM), tamoxifen (5.9 μM), genistein (6.2 μM ), beta-carotene (7.2μM), lutein (17 μM), resveratrol (21 μM), indol-3-carbinol (50 μM), chlorophyll (250 μM), alpha-cryptoxanthin (1.8 mM), and zeaxanthin (2.2 mM) 1. Raising Nrf2 enhances the cell's antioxidant defenses and ↓ROS. This strategy is used to decrease chemo-radio side effects. 2. Downregulating Nrf2 lowers antioxidant defenses and ↑ROS. In cancer cells this leads to DNA damage, and cell death. 3. However there are some cases where increasing Nrf2 paradoxically causes an increase in ROS (cancer cells). Such as cases of Mitochondial overload, signal crosstalk, reductive stress -In some cases, Nrf2 is overexpressed in cancer cells, which can lead to the activation of genes involved in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. This can contribute to the development of resistance to chemotherapy and targeted therapies. -Increased Nrf2 expression: Lung, Breast, Colorectal, Prostrate. Decreased Nrf2 expression: Skine, Liver, Pancreatic. -Nrf2 is a cytoprotective transcription factor which demonstrated both a negative effect as well as a positive effect on cancer - "promotes Nrf2 translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus," means facilitates the movement of Nrf2 into the nucleus, thereby enhancing the cell's antioxidant and cytoprotective responses. -Major regulator of Nrf2 activity in cells is the cytosolic inhibitor Keap1. Nrf2 Inhibitors and Activators Nrf2 Inhibitors: Brusatol, Luteolin, Trigonelline, VitC, Retinoic acid, Chrysin Nrf2 Activators: SFN, OPZ EGCG, Resveratrol, DATS, CUR, CDDO, Api - potent Nrf2 inducers from plants include sulforaphane, curcumin, EGCG, resveratrol, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, wasabi, cafestol and kahweol (coffee), cinnamon, ginger, garlic, lycopene, rosemany Nrf2 plays dual roles in that it can protect normal tissues against oxidative damage and can act as an oncogenic protein in tumor tissue. – In healthy tissues, NRF2 activation helps protect cells from oxidative damage and maintains cellular homeostasis. – In many cancers, constitutive activation of NRF2 (often through mutations in NRF2 itself or loss-of-function mutations in KEAP1) leads to an enhanced antioxidant capacity. – This upregulation can promote tumor cell survival by enabling cancer cells to thrive under oxidative stress, resist chemotherapeutic agents, and sustain metabolic reprogramming. – Elevated NRF2 levels have been implicated in promoting tumor growth, metastasis, and resistance to therapy in various malignancies. – High or sustained NRF2 activity is frequently associated with aggressive tumor phenotypes, poorer prognosis, and decreased overall survival in several cancer types. – While its activation is essential for protecting normal cells from oxidative stress, aberrant or sustained NRF2 activation in tumor cells can lead to enhanced survival, therapeutic resistance, and tumor progression. NRF2 inhibitors: (to decrease antioxidant defenses and increase cell death from ROS). -Brusatol: most cited natural inhibitors of Nrf2. -Luteolin: luteolin can reduce Nrf2 activity in specific cancer models and may enhance cell sensitivity to chemotherapy. However, luteolin is also known as an antioxidant, and its influence on Nrf2 can sometimes be context dependent. -Apigenin: certain studies to down‑regulate Nrf2 in cancer cells: Dose and context dependent . -Oridonin: -Wogonin: although its effects might be cell‑ and dose‑specific. - Withaferin A |
| 8234- | LCA, | Licochalcone A: A Potential Multitarget Drug for Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment |
| - | Review, | AD, | NA |
| 8237- | LCA, | Role of Licochalcone A in Potential Pharmacological Therapy: A Review |
| - | Review, | Var, | NA |
| 8242- | LCA, | Nrf2 signaling and autophagy are complementary in protecting lipopolysaccharide/d-galactosamine-induced acute liver injury by licochalcone A |
| - | in-vivo, | LiverDam, | NA |
| 8245- | LCA, | Licochalcone A Upregulates Nrf2 Antioxidant Pathway and Thereby Alleviates Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity |
| - | in-vivo, | LiverDam, | NA |
| 8246- | LCA, | Licochalcone A activates Keap1-Nrf2 signaling to suppress arthritis via phosphorylation of p62 at serine 349 |
| - | in-vivo, | Arthritis, | NA |
| 8207- | LCA, | Licochalcone a Induces ROS-Mediated Apoptosis through TrxR1 Inactivation in Colorectal Cancer Cells |
| - | in-vitro, | CRC, | HCT116 |
| 8219- | LCA, | Licochalcone A Ameliorates Cognitive Dysfunction in an Alzheimer's Disease Model by Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated Apoptosis |
| - | in-vivo, | AD, | NA |
| 8222- | LCA, | Licochalcone A Induces Cholangiocarcinoma Cell Death Via Suppression of Nrf2 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways |
| - | in-vitro, | CCA, | KKU-100 | - | in-vitro, | CCA, | KKU-213 | - | in-vitro, | CCA, | KKU-214 | - | in-vitro, | CCA, | KKU-156 | - | in-vitro, | 0-Reserved, | KKU-452 |
| 8223- | LCA, | Lico A Enhances Nrf2-Mediated Defense Mechanisms against t-BHP-Induced Oxidative Stress and Cell Death via Akt and ERK Activation in RAW 264.7 Cells |
| - | in-vitro, | Nor, | RAW264.7 |
| 8224- | LCA, | 3,3',4,4'-Tetrahydroxy-2-methoxychalcone from Glycyrrhiza uralensis roots inhibits HIF-1α and Nrf2, suppressing hypoxia-induced angiogenesis |
| - | in-vitro, | CRC, | HCT116 |
| 8225- | LCA, | Cisplatin, | Licochalcone A protects against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury via the modulation of Nrf2/Keap1-mediated ferroptosis and apoptosis |
| - | in-vivo, | Nor, | NA |
| 8229- | LCA, | Licochalcone A: a review of its pharmacology activities and molecular mechanisms |
| - | Review, | Nor, | NA |
| 8230- | LCA, | The Ameliorative Role of Lico A on Aflatoxin B1-Triggered Hepatotoxicity Partially by Activating Nrf2 Signal Pathway |
| - | vitro+vivo, | 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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