TLDR Glycyrrhetinic acid from licorice may help treat acne by reducing inflammation and oil production.
Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), derived from licorice, exhibits potential in treating acne vulgaris due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidative properties. This study identified 37 therapeutic targets for GA against acne through network pharmacology and proteomics, with key targets including TNF, IL1B, and IL6. Experimental validation showed that GA inhibits lipid synthesis, improves skin histopathology, reduces mast cell infiltration, and decreases pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. These findings suggest that GA may alleviate acne symptoms by regulating sebogenesis and inflammatory responses.
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