The invention discloses novel medical application of isopentenyl isoflavone compounds in
licorice roots. Through systematic research on the chemical components and activity screening of the
licorice roots, it is discovered that the isopentenyl isoflavone compounds including licoricidin, angustone A and glyasperin D of which the structures are similar have the significant activity on inhibition of
cancer cell proliferation and inhibition of
protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), licoricidin and glyasperin D have the significant activity on inhibition of
acetylcholine esterase (AChE), and glyasperin D also has the significant activity on inhibition of
tyrosinase. On the basis of the discovery, the active compounds or salt, ester and
solvent compounds, stereoisomers,
tautomer and prodrugs which are acceptable in
pharmacy of the active compounds and mixtures of the compounds can be used for preparing anti-
cancer drugs, PTP1B inhibitors, antidiabetic drugs,
tyrosinase inhibitors,
freckle removing and whitening products, AChE inhibitors, anticholinesterase drugs and the like.