Abstract Isoliquiritigenin (ISL), a chalcone and liquiritigenin (LTG), a flavonoid found in licorice roots and several other plants. ISL displays antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and hepatoprotective activities whereas LTG is an estrogenic compound, acts as an agonist selective for the β-subtype of the oestrogen receptor. Both the phenolics were isolated from the rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza glabra. Five derivatives from ISL and four derivatives from LTG ...