HPLC-MS/MS Profiling and Evaluation of Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Crude Extracts

The present study aimed to investigate the phytochemical and biological screening of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. aerial parts and roots. Extracts were obtained by maceration using solvents of increasing polarity (chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol). HPLC-MS/MS analysis led to the identification of 26 phenolic compounds, with hyperoside followed by delphinidin-3,5-diglucoside and isoquercitrin identified as the main constituents of the aerial parts methanolic extract. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents varied in the range of 54.39–144.09 mg GAE/g and 16.47–65.19 mg RE/g, respectively. The phosphomolybdenum assay yielded a total antioxidant capacity of 1.64–3.40 mmol TE/g. The ability of the extracts to neutralize free radicals ranged between 45.27 and 171.00 mg TE/g for DPPH and 94.51 to 454.14 mg TE/g for ABTS assays. Furthermore, the reducing power assays, evinced that the extracts display significant activity with values ranging from 58.48 to 291.61 mg TE/g (FRAP) and 110.12 to 472.24 mg TE/g (CUPRAC). Moreover, G. glabra L. exhibited notable inhibitory effects against several enzymes (acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, α-tyrosinase, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase). Overall, the obtained results provide scientific evidence supporting the traditional use of the plant and suggest its potential as a promising source of bioactive compounds for further pharmacological investigation.