Analysis of the variations in the marker compound of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. root with reference to age of the drug, storage conditions and pharmacological efficacy

Abstract

Phyto-constituents and their efficacy vary with the age of the plant material and their affliction with environmental and storage conditions. Present study was conducted to evaluate the time dependent variation in physicochemical characters, glycyrrhizin content, microbial load and anti-inflammatory activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. root (GGR). Fresh GGR was dried and divided into three samples and stored as: sample A below 4 °C, sample B at room temperature and sample C at 40 ± 2 °C with relative humidity 75 ± 5% for six months. Afterwards, each sample was extracted in 50% alcohol and evaluated for physicochemical characters, glycyrrhizin content, microbial contamination and anti-inflammatory activity in histamine-induced inflammation in Wistar rats. Physicochemical characteristics exhibits less than 25% variation and qualitative analysis for plant metabolites exhibited similarity in all three samples. Glycyrrhizin was found more in sample C (5.07%) in comparison to sample B (4.52%) and A (4.72%) with variation less than 15%. As per the Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia of India these variations in physicochemical parameters and glycyrrhizin content are insignificant. Sample A revealed total microbial count more than B and C. Accelerated stability data extrapolation of sample C suggests that shelf life of GGR is 2 years. Inflammation was significantly reduced by sample C followed by A and B in comparison to the control with residual paw volume of 0.9%, 3.22%, 20.4% and 29.7% respectively at 163 mg/kg BW dose. From the present study it can be concluded that up to two years age dependent variations in GGR is insignificant but its anti-inflammatory effect are glycyrrhizin dependent.