Licorice Extract Research Articles

Inhibitory Effect of Partially Purified Compounds from Pomegranate Peel and Licorice Extracts on Growth and Urease Activity of Helicobacter pylori

Inhibitory Effect of Partially Purified Compounds from Pomegranate Peel and Licorice Extracts on Growth and Urease Activity of Helicobacter pylori

Formulation and Evaluation of Novel HerbalThroat Spray Containing Triphala and Liquorice Extracts

Formulation and Evaluation of Novel HerbalThroat Spray Containing Triphala and Liquorice Extracts

Assessment on the photocatalytic and phytotoxic activities using ecobenevolently synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles from the root extracts of Glycyrrhiza glabra.

The present study is the first attempt to utilize the root extracts of Glycyrrhiza glabra as a novel biological route for the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3NPs) under optimized conditions. The process variables namely concentration of ferric chloride, root extract ofG. glabra and temperature were optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to obtain high yield. Phytochemicals mediated the reduction process and served as capping and stabilizing agent. The biosynthesized Fe2O3NPs characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy exhibited a prominent peak at 350nm. The crystallinity and valence state of Fe2O3NPs was confirmed by XRD and XPS. The surface functionalization of the nanoparticles was confirmed from the presence of functional groups in the FT-IR spectrum. The FESEM analysis revealed the biosynthesized Fe2O3NPs are irregular and the EDX spectrum recorded the presence of iron and oxygen in the synthesized nanoparticles. The biosynthesized Fe2O3NPs exhibited an appreciable photocatalytic activity against methylene blue under sunlight with a maximum decolorisation efficiency of 92% within 180min of reaction time. The experimental data of adsorption studies well fitted with Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second order kinetic model. The thermodynamic study proved to be spontaneous, feasible and endothermic in nature. The phytotoxicity study revealed 92% germination and increased seedling growth in the green gram seeds exposed to Fe2O3NPs. Hence the study established the efficiency of biosynthesized of Fe2O3NPs in photocatalytic and phytotoxic activities.

Impact of licorice root on the burn healing process: a double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial.

Due to the known side effects of many synthetic drugs, the use of herbal and natural substances in treating diseases such as burns has been considered. licorice is a herbal medicine whose stem and underground roots are used in traditional medicine in many countries, including Iran, for anti-inflammatory, stomach ulcer healing, and antimicrobial purposes. This study investigated the healing effect of hydroalcoholic extract of licorice root on the wound healing process caused by second-degree burns. The hydroalcoholic extract of licorice was prepared in ethanol solvent, and then the licorice hydrogel product was designed using gelling compounds. Then, in a double-blinded randomized clinical trial, 50 patients with second-degree burns were selected based on inclusion criteria from the patients referred to Yazd Hospital and Isfahan Hospital. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: the control group receiving hydrogel without extract and the intervention group receiving hydrogel containing licorice root hydroalcoholic extract. The intervention lasted for 15 days, and during this period, the wound-healing process was evaluated on days 1, 3, 6, 10, and 15. Data were analyzed using SPSS software with independent T-test and Mann-Whitney U tests with a maximum error of 5%. The rate of inflammation (From the 3rd day to the 10th day), redness (From the 6th day to the 15th day), pain (on the 3rd day), and burning (From the 3rd day to the 15th day) of the wound in the group that used the hydrogel-containing hydroalcoholic extract of licorice root was significantly lower than in the control group (P <0.05), and the healing process was significantly faster than the control group. Hydroalcoholic extract of licorice root can accelerate the healing process of second-degree burns.

Formulation and Evaluation of Polyherbal Emulgel

The foible of allopathic medicines has resulted in adopting herbal plants that have been proven cost-effective with fewer adverse effects. Thus, the evaluation of the potential of herbal plants for the formulation of innovative dosage forms has resulted in the cure of various disease conditions. Thus, in context, the main aim of this work was to formulate the topical emulgel using herbal extracts of Ocimum sanctum, Rubia cordifolia, Glycyrrhiza glabra and Punica granatum. Emulgel was prepared by use of 23 factorial designs and the influence of the type of the gelling agent on viscosity and drug release from the prepared emulgel was investigated. The results found that the EG7 formulation was the optimized batch with pH of 6.3±0.02, viscosity of 5998.7±1.2 mPas, drug release of 89.75± 3.5% and in terms of stability. The results indicated the emulgel formulations were successful concerning all of the parameters.

Formulation and Evaluation of Polyherbal Gel

The present study has been undertaken with the aim to formulate and evaluate the new polyherbal gel formulation containing hydroalcoholic extract from Trigonella foenum-graecum and Glycyrrhiza glabra. The polyherbal gel formulation was designed by using Carbopol 934, Sodium CMC, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Glycyrrhiza glabra extract, ethanol, propylene glycol 400, methyl paraben, propyl paraben, and required amount of distilled water. The skin ph (6.8-7) was maintained by drop wise addition of tri- ethanolamine. The prepared gels were evaluated for physical appearance, pH, spreadability, HPTLC, skin irritation to observe side effect. It was inferred from the results that polyherbal gel formulations were good in appearance and homogeneity. The values of spreadability indicated that these polyherbal gels were easily spreadable by small amount of shear. Viscosity of polyherbal gels were determined by using Brookfield viscometer .Formulation F4 had good values of spreadability, viscosity, pH and during the accelerated stability studies the appearance was clear and no significant variation in spreadability and pH was observed. Hence 0.3 % hydroalcoholic extract from Trigonella foenum-graecum and Glycyrrhiza glabra gel was formulated . F4 formulation and its physiochemical study was found to be good.

In Silico Evaluation of the Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Dermatocosmetic Activities of Phytoconstituents in Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.)

The global demand for herbal cosmetics is vastly increasing due to their health benefits and relative safety. Glycyrrhiza spp. extracts are used in cosmetic preparations due to their skin-whitening, antisensitizing, and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this work is to computationally evaluate the bioactive constituents of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) that possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and dermatocosmetic activities, and elucidate the dynamics of their molecular targets. The used methods are skin permeability prediction, target prediction, molecular docking, and molecular dynamic simulation (MDS). The results show that, at a skin permeation cut-off value of −6.0 cm/s, nine phytoconstituents of licorice (furfuraldehyde, glucoliquiritin apioside, glycyrrhizin, isoliquiritin, licopyranocoumarin, licuraside, liquiritigenin, liquiritin, and liquiritin apioside) were workable. Molecular target prediction results indicate probability for tyrosinase, 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (HSD11B1), monoamine oxidase B, steroid 5-alpha-reductase 1, and cyclo-oxygenase-1. On the basis of molecular docking, glucoliquiritin apioside and glycyrrhizin had the best antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and dermatocosmetic activities. MDS results show that the complexes had good stability, and MMGBSA results indicate that the complexes had satisfactory binding energy. Overall, this study demonstrates that licorice extracts are potential antioxidants that could enhance histological dermal and epidermal properties, and reduce the level of inflammatory and wrinkling markers.

Hydroalcoholic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root combined with Linum usitatissimum oil as an alternative for hormone replacement therapy in ovariectomized rats

ObjectivePlant-derived estrogens (phytoestrogens) with structural similarity to primary female sex hormones could be suitable replacements for sex hormones. Therefore, the effects of the licorice root extract and Linum usitatissimum oil on biochemical and hormonal indices in the serum and uterine stereological changes in ovariectomized rats were evaluated. DesignIn this study, 70 adult female rats were randomly divided into seven groups including 1) control group, 2) sham-operated group, 3) ovariectomized (OVX) group, 4) OVX rats that received 1 mg/kg estradiol for 8 weeks at the day of post-operation, 5) OVX rats which received 2.0 mg/kg body wt Linum usitatissimum oil for 8 weeks at the day of post-operation, 6) OVX rats which received 2.0 mg/kg body wt licorice extract for 8 weeks at the day of post-operation, and 7) OVX rats which received 2.0 mg/kg body wt Linum usitatissimum oil + 2.0 mg/kg body wt licorice extract for 8 weeks at the day of post-operation. After eight weeks, alkaline phosphatase activity, as well as calcium, estradiol, and progesterone concentrations were assessed and tissue samples of the uterus were serologically examined. ResultsThe results indicated that after 8 weeks of OVX the alkaline phosphatase activity (Mean = 637.7 IU/L) increased and the calcium (Mean = 7.09 mg/dl), estradiol (5.30 pmol/L), and progesterone (Mean = 3.53 nmol/L) reduced compared to other groups. Moreover, stereological changes in the uterus in ovariectomy groups were seen compared to the other groups. The treatment with Linum usitatissimum oil and licorice extract had a significant therapeutic effect on biochemical factors and stereological changes compared to the ovariectomized group. ConclusionThe results of this study showed that the combination of Linum usitatissimum oil with licorice extract showed the high potential of hormone replacement therapy in the reduction of OVX complications.

Phytochemical Profiling and Biological Effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra L.

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. commonly known as licorice belonging to the family Leguminosae is an ayurvedic medicinal plant having substantial pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Analysed ethnopharmacological studies show phytochemical and biological activities of the plant extract and serve as a resource for studying anti- endometriosis. According to WHO, 176 million women in the world are affected with endometriosis condition and up to 30-50% of women may experience infertility. Our study aims to evaluate in vitro activity of ethanolic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra in different cell lines, DPPH assay and HPLC studies in order to propose it to be an effective remedy in endometriosis treatment. In vitro cytotoxic assessment of the extract was determined in estrogenic (MCF 7), non-estrogenic (MDAMB 231) and endometrial cancer cell lines (Ishikawa) along with its safety assessment in normal cell lines (L929). The extract of G. glabra exhibited DPPH radical scavenging activity with 77.09% inhibition in 100 μg concentration. Cytotoxic activity of extract in MCF 7, MDAMB 231, endometrial cancer cells- Ishikawa and significant cell viability in normal L929 cell line shows promising effect of the extract and suggests it as a possible therapeutic adjuvant for treating endometriosis.

Licorice extract inhibits the cGAS-STING pathway and protects against non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Background: Inflammation and fibrosis are typical symptoms of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is one of the most common chronic liver diseases. The cGAS-STING signaling pathway has been implicated in the progression of NASH, and targeting this pathway may represent a new therapeutic strategy. Licorice is a widely used herb with anti-inflammatory and liver-protective properties. In this study, we assessed the effect of licorice extract on the cGAS-STING pathway. Methods: Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were treated with licorice extract and then stimulated with HT-DNA, 2'3'-cGAMP, or other agonists to activate the cGAS-STING pathway. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot were conducted to analyze whether licorice extract could affect the cGAS-STING pathway. Methionine and choline-deficient diet (MCD) was used to induce NASH in mice, which were treated with licorice extract (500mg/kg) by gavage and/or c-176 (15mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection every 2days. After 6weeks of treatment, histological analysis of liver tissue was performed, along with measurements of plasma biochemical parameters. Results: Licorice extract inhibits cGAS-STING pathway activation. Mechanistically, it might function by inhibiting the oligomerization of STING. Treatment with licorice extract reduced inflammation and fibrosis in MCD diet-induced NASH mice models. Furthermore, we found that the therapeutic effect of combination treatment with licorice extract and C-176 (STING inhibitor) on the pathology and fibrosis of MCD diet-induced NASH models was similar to that of licorice extract or C-176 administered alone. Conclusion: Licorice extract can inhibit the cGAS-STING pathway and improve hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in NASH mice models. It strongly suggests that licorice extract may be a candidate therapeutic for NASH.

The efficacy of complex solid dispersions of anthelmintics against experimental trichinellosis

The purpose of the research is to study the influence of various technological factors on obtaining of complex solid dispersions of anthelmintics with polyvinylpyrrolidone and licorice extract on anthelmintic efficacy in experimental trichinellosis of white mice.Materials and methods. The study of the nematodocidal activity of complex solid dispersions samples based on fenbendazole (FBZ), fenasal (FNS) and praziquantel (PZQ) with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and licorice extract (LE) obtained by mechanochemical technology at different ratios of components and different exposure times was carried out on 130 white mice experimentally infected with Trichinella spiralis in two experiments. On the 3rd day after infection, the animals were divided into experimental groups of 10 animals each. Samples of various complex solid dispersions of anthelmintics were administered intragastrically to the mice of the experimental groups at a dose of 2 mg/kg according to the active substance. FBZ substance was used as the basic drug at a dose of 2 mg/kg according to the active substance. Animals of the control groups did not receive the drugs. The animals were killed by decapitation on the 4th day after experimental drug samples administration, and the activity of the drugs was counted according to the results of helminthological necropsy of the intestine, the efficacy was calculated by the type of control test.Results and discussion. The efficacy of complex solid dispersions of FBZ and FNS with PVP polymer was higher in comparison with the activity of complexes with LE at the same duration of mechanochemical treatment in a roller mill. The FBZ activity decreased from 67.05 to 37.77% with a decrease in the duration of mechanochemical treatment from 24 h to 5 h and the efficacy of the FBZ : FNS complex with LE turned out to be almost at the level of the basic drug when treated for 1 h. The use of mechanochemical technology for obtaining of a solid dispersion of FBZ : FNS with PVP for targeted delivery makes it possible to increase the anthelmintic efficacy by 2.7 times compared with the activity of the FBZ substance, and with LE by 2.2 times. It was noted that complex solid dispersions of PBZ with PZQ have lower biological activity in comparison with compositions of FBZ with FNS.

Solubility of triclabendazole as a factor determining the activity of its solid dispersions with polymers

The purpose of the research is to study solubility of triclabendazole-based (TCB) solid dispersions (SD) and polymers obtained under optimal conditions of mechanochemical technology; and to confirm chemical stability of a TCB substance by the HPLC method both during its SD preparation and their storage.Materials and methods. The research used a TCB substance, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), arabinogalactan (AG), and licorice extract (LE) that contained 25% glycyrrhizinic acid (GA). For machining, the initial components were taken in a 1 : 9 weight ratio and machined in an LE-101 drum mill on rolls with a drum rotating at a speed of 55–60 rpm with a 1 : 17 process module for 1 to 6 hours with sampling to evaluate the TCB solubility and stability. The TCB sample solubility and its stability were evaluated in these samples by HPLC.Results and discussion. The machining of the TCB substance with selected polymers obtained the corresponding SDs of the following compositions: TCB : PVP (1 : 9), TCB : AG (1 : 9), TCB : PVP : AG (1 : 4.5 : 4.5) and TCB : LE (1 : 9), which were free-flowing powders with enhanced solubility for TCB (up to 34). The evaluation of previously obtained samples of TCB SDs showed that the solubility decreased slightly over time. For example, a decrease in solubility for TCB : AG (1 : 9) was observed from 10 to 8 (the sample after 2 h of machining) and from 23 to 18 (the sample after 4 h of machining). The chemical stability was observed of the TCB substance in its SD samples obtained earlier.

Evaluation of the Antibacterial Effect of Licorice Extract on Oral Microflora and its Effect on Salivary PH

Purpose: To evaluate the antibacterial effect of Licorice (as a mouth wash) on total salivary bacterial count in relation to chlorohexidine mouthwash on a group of Egyptian children and assess the effectiveness of Licorice extract rinse on salivary PH. Materials and methods :A total of 60 normal apparently healthy children aged between 6-12 years from both genders were involved in this study and equally divided into four groups(n=15) regarding to the type and concentration of the received mouthwash : group I : included children used licorice extract mouth-rinse (75%), group ІІ: included children used licorice extract mouth rinse (50%), group ІІІ: included children used licorice extract mouth-rinse (25%) and group ІV: as a control group in which children used chlorohexidine 0.12% mouth wash for one minute. They were told to gargle with 10 ml of mouthwash for one minute three times a day for five days. Results: Significant reduction in the total bacterial count with the four studied groups after mouth rinsing for 5 days. However, chlorohexidine showed a significant reduction in total bacterial count when compared to Licorice extract .Regarding the pH value and the percent change in pH, the highest mean value was recorded in group І, and the difference between the 4 groups was highly statistically significant. Conclusion: Licorice aqueous root extract has antimicrobial effect against total bacterial count and it is more efficient in comparison with Chlorohexidine. Licorice aqueous root extract rapidly rise salivary PH.

Evaluation of the Antibacterial Effect of Licorice Extract on Oral Microflora and its Effect on Salivary PH

Purpose: To evaluate the antibacterial effect of Licorice (as a mouth wash) on total salivary bacterial count in relation to chlorohexidine mouthwash on a group of Egyptian children and assess the effectiveness of Licorice extract rinse on salivary PH. Materials and methods :A total of 60 normal apparently healthy children aged between 6-12 years from both genders were involved in this study and equally divided into four groups(n=15) regarding to the type and concentration of the received mouthwash : group I : included children used licorice extract mouth-rinse (75%), group ІІ: included children used licorice extract mouth rinse (50%), group ІІІ: included children used licorice extract mouth-rinse (25%) and group ІV: as a control group in which children used chlorohexidine 0.12% mouth wash for one minute. They were told to gargle with 10 ml of mouthwash for one minute three times a day for five days. Results: Significant reduction in the total bacterial count with the four studied groups after mouth rinsing for 5 days. However, chlorohexidine showed a significant reduction in total bacterial count when compared to Licorice extract .Regarding the pH value and the percent change in pH, the highest mean value was recorded in group І, and the difference between the 4 groups was highly statistically significant. Conclusion: Licorice aqueous root extract has antimicrobial effect against total bacterial count and it is more efficient in comparison with Chlorohexidine. Licorice aqueous root extract rapidly rise salivary PH.

Effect of Seeding Rate and the Spraying with Licorice Extract in Oil Percentage and Active Ingredients of Caraway (&lt;i&gt;Carum Carvi&lt;/i&gt; L.)

Effect of Seeding Rate and the Spraying with Licorice Extract in Oil Percentage and Active Ingredients of Caraway (&lt;i&gt;Carum Carvi&lt;/i&gt; L.)

Evaluating the Competitiveness of Medicinal Plants With Antibiotics to Control Salmonella Enterica Serovar Typhimurium in Broiler Chickens

Background: Salmonellosis is one of the important diseases in the poultry industry, which also causes public health concerns. Objectives: We studied the effects of enrofloxacin and herbal medicines on growth performance, blood parameters, meat oxidation, and cecal microbial population in broilers challenged with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (ST). Methods: A total of 240 one-day-old (male) Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into 6 groups: negative and positive control, enrofloxacin, and three herbal medicines (A, B, and C) containing different proportions of cinnamon, thyme, licorice, and marjoram extracts with compounds of organic acids. The dosage of enrofloxacin and A, B, and C herbal medicines were 1, 1, 1, and 2 mL/L in drinking water, respectively, prescribed from days 16 to 21. On day 10, all groups except negative control were challenged with 1 mL suspension containing 1×107 CFU/mL ST. Performance traits were measured in intervals of 1-10, 11-24, 25-42, and 1-42 days. Blood parameters, meat oxidation, and cecal microbial population were measured on day 21. Results: Among the challenged groups, medicine C and enrofloxacin showed the lowest levels of Salmonella infection (P&lt;0.05). Medicine B had a better effect on performance traits (P&lt;0.05). Medicine A had the lowest amount of malondialdehyde in meat. Medicines A and B caused the lowest cholesterol and triglyceride concentration in serum (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: The above-mentioned herbal medicines can be used as beneficial additives in poultry nutrition to improve growth performance, reduce the Salmonella population in the gastrointestinal tract, and cholesterol, triglycerides, and meat oxidation.

Ameliorative effect of alcoholic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra and diclazuril against experimental Eimeria stiedae infection in rabbits

Ameliorative effect of alcoholic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra and diclazuril against experimental Eimeria stiedae infection in rabbits

Separation and purification of glabridin from a deep eutectic solvent extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra residue by macroporous resin and its mechanism

Glabridin has beneficial antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and tyrosinase inhibitory activities, with many applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. After industrial extraction of glycyrrhizic acid, Glycyrrhiza glabra residue contains abundant glabridin. Glabridin was extracted from Glycyrrhiza glabra residue with a deep eutectic solvent (DES), followed by the recovery of the glabridin by organic solvent extraction, and then partial purification with hydrophobic macroporous resin. Ethyl acetate was the best extraction solvent, with an extraction yield of 91.63 %. Twelve macroporous resins were evaluated and LSA-21 yielded the best recovery of glabridin. Adsorption of glabridin by LSA-21 resin conformed to pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir models. The thermodynamic parameters ΔH (enthalpy change) and ΔG (Gibbs free energy) were both negative, ΔS (entropy change) was positive. These results indicated that LSA-21 resin spontaneously and exothermically adsorbs glabridin to form a monolayer. The optimum conditions for separating and purifying glabridin by LSA-21 resin were 50 % ethanol aqueous solution(v/v) with a concentration of 56.90 µg/mL glabridin at a flow rate of 2 bed-volumes (BV)/h, and elution with 4 BV of ethanol at 2 BV/h, producing a glabridin yield of 97.80 %. The resin could be reused four times and the glabridin yield slightly decreased to 94 %. The overall recovery of glabridin from the DES Glycyrrhiza glabra extract solution after the ethyl acetate and LSA-21 steps was 89.61 %, with a purity of 17.38 %. This approach is an effective method for the recovery and purification of glabridin from a DES extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra residue, which has potential industrial application for producing glabridin and other natural plant products.

Thyme essential oil fostering the efficacy of aqueous extract of licorice against fungal phytopathogens of Capsicum annuum L.

Capsicum annuum L. production is impeded by various biotic factors, including fungal diseases caused by Colletotrichum capsici, Pythium aphanidermatum, and Fusarium oxysporum. Various plant extracts and essential oils are increasingly used to control different plant diseases. In this study, licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) cold water extract (LAE) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) essential oil (TO) were found to be highly effective against the C.annuum pathogens. LAE at 200mgml-1 demonstrated the maximum antifungal activity of 89.9% against P.aphanidermatum, whereas TO at 0.25mgml-1 showed 100% inhibition of C.capsici. However, when used in combination, much lower doses of these plant protectants (100mgml-1 LAE and 0.125mgml-1 TO) exhibited a synergistic effect in controlling the fungal pathogens. Metabolite profiling using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high resolution-liquid chromatography-mass spectrophotometry analysis showed the presence of several bioactive compounds. Enhanced cellular components leakage revealed damage to the fungal cell wall and membrane due to and LAE treatment, which can be attributed to the TO lipophilicity and triterpenoid saponins of LAE. TO and LAE treatments also caused a reduction in ergosterol biosynthesis might be due to the presence of thymol and sterol components in the botanicals. Although the aqueous extracts have a low preparation cost, their uses are limited by modest shelf life and lacklustre antifungal effect. We have shown that these limitations can be bypassed by combining oil (TO) with the aqueous extract (LAE). This study further opens the avenues for utilizing these botanicals against other fungal phytopathogens.

Enhancement of immunomodulatory effect of licorice after honey-roasting based on gut microbiota and fecal metabolomics

ABSTRACT In this study, an immunocompromised rat model was established by long-term diet control and excessive swimming and treated with extracts of raw licorice (RL) and honey-roasted licorice (HL) to explore the immunomodulatory efficacy and gut microbiota composition with their metabolites. Pharmacological experiment confirmed that honey-roasting enhanced the ability of RL to regulate inflammatory cytokines and gut mucosal-layer homeostasis. The analysis of 16S rRNA sequences showed that both RL and HL regulated the balance of gut microbiota, but HL exhibited better effects than RL in regulating microbiota closely related to inflammatory cytokines (Coriobacteriaceae_UCG-002) as well as short-chain fatty acids-producing bacteria (Dubosiella and Ruminococcus). Moreover, HL improved the contents of butyrate and isobutyrate in feces more significantly than RL. In conclusion, the balance of gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids might be one of the pathways that honey-roasting improve the immunomodulatory efficacy of licorice. Abbreviations: ANOVA: analysis of variance; BCA: bicinchoninic acid; ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; HRP: horseradish peroxidase; LDA: the linear discriminant analysis; LEfSe: the linear discriminant analysis effect size; MS: mass spectrometry; OTU: operational taxonomic units; PBS: phosphate buffered saline; PCoA: principal coordinate analysis; PVDF: polyvinylidene fluoride; RIPA: radio immunoprecipitation assay; SCFAs: short-chain fatty acids;