Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a flavonoid natural product that inhibits influenza virus replication (EC50=24.7 μM) and aldose reductase activity (IC50=320 nM). Isoliquiritigenin has antitumor activity.

Aldose reductase:320 nM

METHODS: Normal human hepatocyte cell line LO2 and HCC cell line Hep3B were treated with Isoliquiritigenin (30-60 µM) for 24-72 h. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay.
RESULTS: Isoliquiritigenin showed significant cytotoxicity against Hep3B cells with an IC50 of 42.84±2.01 µM at 48 h. This effect was concentration and time dependent. However, at the same Isoliquiritigenin stimulation intensity, the survival of LO2 cells was significantly less affected with an IC50 >60 µM.[1]
METHODS: Human colorectal cancer cells HCT-116 were treated with Isoliquiritigenin (20 µM) for 24 h. Apoptosis was detected by Flow cytometry.
RESULTS: Treatment of HCT-116 cells with Isoliquiritigenin resulted in a significant increase in apoptosis (17.26%) in the treated group compared to the NC group (7.37%). [2]

METHODS: To assay anti-tumor activity in vivo, Isoliquiritigenin (50 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally into BALB/c-nu/nu mice bearing Hep3B xenografts once daily for three weeks.
RESULTS: Isoliquiritigenin-treated mice had reduced tumor burden in terms of mean tumor size or xenograft weight. [1]