Abstract
<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the <em>in vitro </em>antioxidant activity of liquorice (<em>Glycyrrhiza glabra) </em>against H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cell line.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts of <em>Glycyrrhiza glabra</em> was investigated by measuring total phenolic content using folin-ciocalteu reagent (FCR), free radical scavenging activity by DPPH and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in the extract was confirmed by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. Furthermore, the protective effect of methanolic extract of <em>Glycyrrhiza glabra</em> against oxidative stress induced by H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2 </sub>in HepG2 cells was investigated by MTT assay. HepG2 cells were exposed with five different treatments viz. liquorice, H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, ascorbic acid, H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>+liquorice and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>+ascorbic acid, to explore the effect of the extract on malondialdehyde (MDA) production, catalase activity, and glutathione reductase levels.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The total phenolic content estimated in <em>Glycyrrhiza glabra </em>extract was found to be 241.47 µg per 1000 µg/ml of methanolic extract. It was found that as the concentration of the extract was increased both the free radical scavenging activity and ferric ion reducing power was also found to increase. LC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of eight different phenolic compounds in the methanolic extract which are possibly contributing to the antioxidant activity exhibited by the extract. It was also observed that liquorice treated HepG2 cells showed lower MDA and higher glutathione and catalase levels as compared to only H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2 </sub>treated HepG2 cells where increased MDA production, decreased glutathione reductase and catalase production was observed.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our results thus conclude that, the methanolic extract of <em>Glycyrrhiza glabra </em>can be used as natural supplements in various disease conditions where oxidative stress has been reported. <strong></strong></p><p> </p>
Highlights
Liquorice is a general herb of the Asian region and is commonly used in the diet
Liquorice extract was evaluated for its antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity in HepG2 cell line by various in vitro assays
The free radical scavenging activity of liquorice was assessed by DPPH method and compared with standard antioxidant ascorbic acid
Summary
Roots of liquorice have been found to be useful due to its pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antiallergic, antimutagenic, antimicrobial, antiulcer activity along with cardioprotective, hepatoprotective and immune modulatory effects [1, 2]. The protective effect of these foods is attributed to the presence of phytochemical compounds such as carotenoids, tocopherols, and polyphenols [3]. The yellow color of liquorice is due to high flavonoid content of the plant, which includes liquiritin, isoliquiritin (a chalcone) and other compounds responsible for its antioxidant activity. Increase in oxidative stress as observed in lifestyle diseases and increasing use of allopathic medicines and chemical compounds there is an immediate need of identification of alternatives which can alleviate the altered health conditions [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
