Description
Glabridin is a phytoestrogen and isoflavonoid originally found in the root of the licorice plant, Glycyrrhiza. Glabridin displays antioxidative, anti-obesity, anti-angiogenic, neuromodulatory, cognition enhancing, and sedative/hypnotic characteristics. In osteoblasts, glabridin downregulates PI3K and Akt and upregulates superoxide dismutase 1 and glutathione peroxidase 4; it also promotes fatty acid oxidation and inhibits adipogenesis. In animal models, this compound improves learning and memory, potentially through positive modulation of the GABA-A receptor. Additionally, glabridin inhibits Rho signaling by decreasing FAK and Src activation, inhibiting cancer cell migration and invasion as well as angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.