Licochalcone A
Compiled from published pharmacological and botanical literature. Not independently verified by Herbuno. Spotted an error or have a correction? Flag it below →
| Chemical Class | Retrochalcone (prenylated chalcone) |
| Molecular Formula / CAS | C₂₁H₂₂O₄ · CAS 58749-22-7 |
| Primary Botanical Source(s) | Chinese licorice (Glycyrrhiza inflata) |
| Plant Part | Root |
| Typical Content | A major and characteristic phenolic constituent of Glycyrrhiza inflata specifically, distinguishing it from G. glabra-derived licorice extracts (which are glycyrrhizin/glabridin-standardised) |
| Solubility / Format | Available as a high-purity standardised isolate powder |
| Sourcing Status | Product-live — genuine match via Herbuno’s Glycyrrhiza inflata extract line |
| Buy from Herbuno | Licochalcone A 40% Powder (Chinese Licorice) |
Name origin: Licochalcone A takes its name from “lico,” a shortened reference to licorice (Glycyrrhiza), combined with “chalcone,” the structural class it belongs to; the “retro” prefix sometimes applied describes an unusual reversed oxygenation pattern relative to typical chalcones. Traditional use: Licorice root has an extensive traditional-medicine history across Chinese, Greek and broader Eurasian herbal systems, valued for digestive, respiratory and topical skin applications; licochalcone A specifically was not distinguished as an isolated constituent until modern phytochemistry separated it from the better-known glycyrrhizin and glabridin compounds of the related species Glycyrrhiza glabra. Research trajectory: Licochalcone A research accelerated significantly after researchers identified it as a major bioactive constituent specific to Glycyrrhiza inflata (Chinese licorice), distinct from the glycyrrhizin-focused research on G. glabra; this led to a substantial dermatological and cosmetic research programme through the 2000s, with more recent work expanding into oncology and broader systemic pharmacology. Commercial source: Glycyrrhiza inflata root is the standard commercial source of licochalcone A, and Herbuno’s standardised extract reflects this well-established, genuine botanical match.
Evidence for Licochalcone A Applications
Licochalcone A (LicA) has one of the more directly human-clinical-trial-supported evidence bases among topical botanical actives in the HerbIQ index. A prospective, randomised, vehicle-controlled clinical trial tested cosmetic formulations containing LicA in both a post-shaving skin irritation model and a UV-induced erythema model, finding a highly significant reduction in redness relative to vehicle control in both tests (Kolbe et al. 2006). This is a genuine human clinical demonstration of LicA’s anti-irritative activity, not solely a cell-culture or animal finding. Claim strength: Moderate.
Mechanistically, the same research group found LicA activates Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2), a master regulator of cytoprotective antioxidant gene expression, inducing heme oxygenase 1 and glutamate-cysteine ligase in human dermal fibroblasts and elevating the ratio of reduced to oxidised glutathione; in vivo photon-emission analysis of LicA-treated skin showed significantly reduced UVA-induced oxidative luminescence, connecting the cell-level Nrf2 mechanism to a measurable in-vivo antioxidative effect (Kolbe et al. 2015). Claim strength: Moderate.
A comprehensive pharmacology review describes LicA as possessing well-established anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant and antitumour activities, noting particular clinical evidence supporting its use for acne, rosacea and atopic dermatitis, with LicA-containing topical formulations shown to reduce inflammatory lesions and improve skin barrier function while exhibiting favourable tolerability compared to conventional corticosteroid and retinoid treatments in the reviewed clinical literature (et al. 2024). The review notes that despite this promising clinical picture, high-quality randomised trials remain relatively limited and geographically concentrated. Claim strength: Moderate.
Beyond dermatology, LicA has documented antimicrobial activity, including activity against spore-forming, food-contaminating bacteria and antiparasitic activity against Leishmania species, alongside a growing body of oncology-focused preclinical research examining apoptosis and autophagy induction across multiple cancer cell lines via PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway inhibition. This systemic and oncology-focused research remains substantially earlier-stage than the well-developed dermatological evidence base. Claim strength: Emerging.
For sourcing purposes, formulators should note that licochalcone A is specific to Glycyrrhiza inflata and is not the marker compound of standard G. glabra-derived licorice products (which are typically standardised to glycyrrhizin or glabridin); a generic “licorice extract” specification without species confirmation cannot be assumed to deliver meaningful licochalcone A content. Claim strength: High.
Dosage & Formulator Specification
The clinical trial demonstrating anti-irritative skin effects used cosmetic formulations containing LicA at low percentage concentrations typical of topical skin-care actives; there is no established oral/ingestible human dosing precedent, as LicA research is concentrated predominantly on topical dermatological application.
Analytical quantification of licochalcone A is performed by HPLC, the standard method for Glycyrrhiza inflata extract quality control; formulators should confirm species (G. inflata, not G. glabra) alongside LicA-specific chromatographic data, since the two licorice species are standardised to entirely different marker compounds.
For topical and cosmetic formulation, LicA is generally well tolerated based on the available clinical trial and dermatological review literature, with reported tolerability comparable to or better than conventional corticosteroid and retinoid actives in head-to-head dermatological research; formulators should still confirm stability and compatibility data specific to their finished-product base.
Regulatory positioning for licochalcone A follows established licorice botanical-ingredient and cosmetic-active precedent in most markets, given Glycyrrhiza’s long traditional use history; no licochalcone-A-specific regulatory limit exists. Formulators should note that LicA is distinct from glycyrrhizin, which carries separate documented cautions regarding blood pressure and electrolyte effects at high, sustained oral intake — a caution that applies to glycyrrhizin-standardised products, not necessarily to LicA-standardised G. inflata extract.
Frequently Asked Questions — Licochalcone A
No. The compound associated with blood-pressure and electrolyte effects at high sustained oral intake is glycyrrhizin, found in Glycyrrhiza glabra licorice. Licochalcone A is a different compound, specific to the related species Glycyrrhiza inflata, with a distinct pharmacological profile focused mainly on topical anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.
A randomised, vehicle-controlled human clinical trial found that topical formulations containing licochalcone A significantly reduced skin redness in both a post-shaving irritation model and a UV-induced erythema model, making it one of the more directly clinically demonstrated topical actives in the HerbIQ index.
Clinical and preclinical research supports its use for acne, rosacea and atopic dermatitis, with documented reduction in inflammatory lesions and improved skin barrier function, generally with better tolerability than conventional corticosteroid and retinoid treatments in reviewed studies.
Not necessarily. Licochalcone A is specific to Glycyrrhiza inflata (Chinese licorice), while most standard licorice extracts are derived from Glycyrrhiza glabra and standardised to glycyrrhizin or glabridin instead. Species confirmation is essential when sourcing for licochalcone A content.
Related compounds: Glabridin, Glycyrrhizin