甘草酸是甘草的有效成分，其选择性诱导成熟的T淋巴细胞凋亡，调节淋巴细胞数量和功能，纠正外周血T淋巴细胞亚群的紊乱，具有抗炎、抗变态反应的药理作用；其机制为抑制抗体（IgG、IgE）生成，多靶点地抑制补体系统，抑制炎性细胞因子和炎症介质生成，以及对抗炎症介质的致炎作用。综述了近年来国内外对甘草酸及其衍生物抗炎、抗变态反应的药理作用及其机制的研究进展。

Glycyrrhizic acid, a bioactive constituent from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, selectively induces mature T lymphocyte apoptosis, modulates quantity and function of lymphocytes, and corrects disorder of T lymphocytic subgroups in circular blood. Glycyrrhizic acid possesses the efficacy against inflammation and allergy. Its mechanisms were counted as that glycyrrhizic acid inhibited the production of antibodies (IgG and IgE), and complement system by acting on multi-target; glycyrrhizic acid also could inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediator, and antagonizes inflammatory reaction of inflammatory mediator. Research advances on pharmacological actions and mechanisms against inflammation and allergy of glycyrrhizic acid and its derivatives are reviewed in this paper.