Rohto Group's proprietary ingredient "Licorice Extract Powder (Lyconin®)"-derived ingredient Gliasperin B receives Japan's first approved functional food product *1 -
Expanding the possibilities of ingredient proposals and product development in the field of body fat management -
April 21, 2026
ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, President: Hidetoshi Segi) is advancing research into unique materials and the development of functional foods in order to realize the Rohto Group's comprehensive management vision, "Connect for Well-being." Recently, MG Pharma Inc., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture, Representative Director: Yasuo Sumida), a group company, has submitted a notification for a functional food product, "Licorice Extract Capsules," which has been accepted as the first functional food product in Japan to use licorice-derived gliasperin B as the functional ingredient*1 and has been made public in the Consumer Affairs Agency's search for information on registered functional foods. This is also the first case in Japan*1 of a functional food product with the function of "enhancing the breakdown and burning of body fat (increasing blood ketone bodies)."
This project leverages research findings in the area of body fat reduction, utilizing Rohto Group's proprietary ingredient "Licorice Extract Powder (Lyconin®)," to develop functional foods. In addition to its future application in our own products, it serves as a foundation for expanding possibilities in product development and ingredient proposals with partner companies.
*1: Based on our own research (as of April 2026, according to the Consumer Affairs Agency's "Search for Information on Notifications of Foods with Function Claims," as an example of a food with function claims that uses licorice-derived gliasperin B as the functional ingredient).
Background of Development
Our company and MG Pharma have focused on the lipid metabolism field and have been conducting research on licorice extract. In January 2024, we announced that clinical trials conducted on overweight individuals using ligorice extract, a proprietary ingredient of MG Pharma, confirmed anti-obesity effects such as visceral fat reduction.
This product contains gliasperin B, a component found in licorice that has been reported to act on fat cells and promote lipid breakdown. Because this component has the function of enhancing the breakdown and burning of body fat, this product was developed with the aim of contributing to the health maintenance of individuals at risk of fat accumulation, including those with hidden obesity.
Summary of the notification
| Product name |
Licorice extract capsules |
| classification |
Foods with functional claims |
| Notification number |
K635 |
| Name of the person who submitted the notification |
MG Pharma Inc. |
| Food classification |
Processed foods (tablets, capsules, etc.) |
| Functional ingredients |
Licorice-derived gliasperin B |
| Recommended daily intake |
1 grain |
| Content of functional ingredients per recommended daily intake |
14 μg |
| Functionality display |
This product contains licorice-derived gliasperin B, which has the function of increasing the breakdown and burning of body fat (increasing blood ketones) in healthy individuals with a higher BMI (BMI 23 or higher but less than 25) and a higher visceral fat area (visceral fat area of 100 cm2 or more), and supports the reduction of visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, body fat, and weight, thereby improving a high BMI. |
- Maintain a balanced diet based on staple foods, main dishes, and side dishes.
- This product is not approved by the government.
- This product is not intended for the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of any disease.
Future developments
The Rohto Group is expanding its approach to addressing consumers' health challenges not only through pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, but also through food and ingredients. This latest approval, the first of its kind in Japan*1, marks a significant step forward in the development of functional foods for body fat reduction using Rohto Group's unique ingredients. Moving forward, in addition to utilizing these ingredients in our own products, we will continue to contribute to the realization of well-being through scientifically-based research on unique ingredients and the development of functional foods, while also considering collaborations with partner companies and ingredient proposals.
- "Lyconin" is a registered trademark of MG Pharma Inc. (Trademark Registration No. 5977046).