Licorice Plant Research Articles

Examination of a Theoretical Model for Drainage of Foams Prepared from Licorice Root Extract Solution

The root of the licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is rich in natural surfactants, called saponins. The beneficial properties of this plant have led to different applications, including its use as a foaming agent. In this research, a theoretical model and its validity are discussed for the liquid drainage of foams made from licorice root extract solutions. After stating the important characteristics in the free drainage of foam, a relationship of the drained liquid volume based on effective parameters was obtained via a simplification of the governing equation. The theoretical model is applied to experimental foam drainage data measured at different concentrations of licorice root extract solutions. A comparison of theoretical and experimental results shows good agreement for the volume of drained liquid as a function of time. The characteristics obtained from the combination of effective parameters allows for a quantification of the drainage rate. In addition, the drainage rate at the beginning of the foam decay process, as a measure of stability, can be estimated using measurable properties.

STITCH enabled molecular interaction of glycrhizzin with peri-implant microbiota.

Glycyrrhizin is present in the root extract of the licorice plant used for various conditions, including gastric ulcers. Therefore, it is of interest to document the STITCH enabled molecular interaction of glycrhizzin with peri-implant microbiota. The peri implant pathogens includes Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (D7S-1), Centipeda periodontii, Campylobacter gracilisi, Fusobacterium nucleatumi, Slackia exigua, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacteroides fragilis, and Bacteroides fragilis. Hence, a user-defined query was used to conduct analysis on the provided bacterial strains whose molecular data available in the STITCH database. Thus, we used the STITCH tool to examine protein interactions and the VirulentPred tool to assess pathogenicity using the known molecular data on glycrhizzin and peri implant pathogens. Data shows that glycyrrhizin interacts with peri implant pathogens.

Improving drought tolerance and glycyrrhizin content of licorice plant by EPS-producing cyanobacteria

We evaluated the effects of two selected EPS-producing cyanobacterial strains for microbe-dependent drought tolerance in native licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and addressed the mechanisms, which might be improved through these interactions. These bacteria were inoculated on the soils in a form of single strain (Anabaena sphaerica or Nostoc pruniforme) or two strains (Anabaena + Nostoc) in greenhouse conditions. The growth parameters, physiological and metabolical responses among treatments were investigated through assaying the antioxidants and glycyrrhizin contents in the plants grown in both normal condition and moderate water stress condition (FC 50%). The reduction of the ratio of root/shoot in response to drought (FC 50%) was correlated with amount of specific metabolites production, including glycyrrhizic acid (GA), glabridin (GB), liquiritin (LQ) and liquiritigenin (LG), especially in soil treated by Anabaena + Nostoc (P < 0.05). In water-deficient conditions, accumulation of GA in plants treared by Anabaena + Nostoc was boosted by 64% and 69% compared to Anabaena and the control, respectively. Besides, a significant increase in catalase activity (25%) was perceived in this treatment after exposure to drought stress. These results highlight the potential role of enzymatic antioxidants and the increase of GA content in responsing to the drought tolerance in licorice plant. Our findings suggest that using EPS-producing strains of Cyanobacteria is an efficient treatment to improve the drought tolerance in cultivation of medicinal plant in soil of arid and semi-arid regions.

Anticancer Effect of Plectranthus Amboinicus and Glycyrrhiza Glabra on Oral Cancer Cell Line: An Invitro Experimental Study.

Oral cancer is a commonly encountered type of cancer with multifactorial etiology. The number of oral cancer cases are increasing in the recent past. Advancements in cancer therapy are continuously evolving. In spite of that, the survival rate is very low along with adverse effects associated with each treatment modality. This poses a need for a constant search for newer or alternative treatment options. Herbal medicines or plant-based medicines are derived from plant sources. Evidence supports that incorporating herbal medicines in cancer therapy offers many advantages. Hence, exploring plant species for anticarcinogenic properties can potentially benefit cancer therapy. Studies show that the two medicinal herbs Plectranthus amboinicus (Indian borage, Karpooravalli) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (Liquorice, Athimathuram) have shown excellent anticancer activity on various cancers. The present study aimed to evaluate and assess the anticancer property of two medicinal plants Plectranthus amboinicus (Indian borage, Karpooravalli) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (Liquorice, Athimathuram) on oral cancer (KB) cell line. Ethanolic extracts of leaves of Plectranthus amboinicus and roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra were prepared. The oral cancer (KB) cell line was procured and cultured. Cell viability (MTT) assay was performed using various concentrations of both the plant extracts on oral cancer cells. The percentage of cell viability for each concentration was calculated and the IC50 value was derived for the two plant extracts. The results revealed a significant decrease in the percentage of viable cells with increasing concentration of the extracts. The IC50 values of Plectranthus amboinicus and Glycyrrhiza glabra were 53.0 µg/ml and 43.6 µg/ml respectively. On comparing the anticancer effect of the two extracts, Glycyrrhiza glabra was more cytotoxic than Plectranthus amboinicus on oral cancer (KB) cells. The two medicinal plants Plectranthus amboinicus and Glycyrrhiza glabra exhibited potent anticancer activity against oral cancer (KB) cells.

Synthesis of Bio-Active Silver Nanoparticles against Human Lung Cancer Cell Line (A549)with Little Toxicity to Normal Cell Line (WRL68)

Nanomaterials are characterized by mechanical, thermal, chemical, biological, and other properties that are different from the basic materials that make them up due to their large surface area to size ratio and quantum effect. There are multiple ways to produce nanomaterials mechanically, chemically, and physically, but they are not safe for the environment. Researchers have sought to find safe methods for the production of nanomaterials, such as green manufacturing, that is, manufacturing nanomaterials from plants. Moreover, there are other sources, such as bacteria or fungi that are used in the production of nanomaterials. This study aimed to try to find an alternative to chemically manufactured drugs, such as those used in the treatment of human cancers, through nanotechnology and from plant sources (green-biosynthesis), which is characterized by abundance and low economic cost. Silver nanoparticles were green-synthesized using an aqueous extract of the licorice plant, their properties were diagnosed, and their differences with the crude aqueous extract were determined. The sizes of nanoparticles were within the range of 60.27-89.80 nm, while the sizes of the crude aqueous extract particles were within the range of 53.96-113.1 nm. Atomic force microscopy was used to find out the shapes, topography, roughness, and protrusions of the surfaces of biosynthesized AgNPs and aqueous extract particles, where the roughness rate of the nanoparticles was 75.54 nm, while it appeared. In vitro test of AgNPs showed a higher anti-lung cancer activity against the A549 cell line than that of the extract at an inhibitory concentration for half of the cells used in the experiment (IC50) of 58.78 µg/ml while the IC50 of the extract was 67.44 µg/ml. The results showed that the toxicity of AgNPs on the normal hepatocyte line (WRL68) was less than that of the aqueous extract, with IC50 concentrations of 244.2 and 147.0 µg/ml, respectively. It is worth mentioning that the lower IC50 led to higher toxicity.

Effect of Stimulators and Biofertilizer on Dry Matter Accumulation and Productivity of Sweet Plants

The harvest from agricultural crops is formed in the leaves of plants due to the process of photosynthesis, all the technological activities that affect the development of leaves in the cultivation of crops are studied, the accumulation of dry matter in the smooth licorice plant is analyzed. In this experiment, the effects of various stimulants and biofertilizers on the development of smooth licorice were studied and analyzed.

Performance Evaluation of Liquorice Harvester with Novel Oscillating Shovel-Rod Components Using the Discrete Element Method

Liquorice harvesting is the key process in the development of the liquorice industry. For harvesting liquorice with about 400 mm growth depth, a lightweight harvester with novel oscillating shovel-rod components was developed. Draft force, total torque, specific energy consumption, separation proportion, and soil structure maintenance were used to evaluate harvester performance under varied working conditions, and throw intensity and total torque were analyzed. A DEM model was developed to simulate the excavation and separation of soil. Three sets of single-factor simulation tests and one set of field tests were conducted. The results indicated that: Each 1 mm increase in amplitude decreased draft force by 463.35 N and increased total torque and specific energy consumption by 35.03 Nm and 4.3 kJ/m3, respectively. Each 1 Hz increase in vibration frequency increased specific energy consumption by 3.12 kJ/m3, while draft force and total torque decreased by 375.75 N and 28.44 Nm, respectively. Each 0.1 m/s increase in forwarding speed increased the draft force, total torque and specific energy consumption by 1302.72 N, 13.26 Nm and 3.82 kJ/m3, respectively. The main separation areas of the shovel-rod were front areas, where the soil separation proportion is greater than 60%, and the soil was completely separated at the end areas. The soils after harvesting had a relatively minimal disturbance in all layers, with soil structure maintenance greater than 0.61, and soil structure was well maintained. The liquorice plants were separated from the soil after passing smoothly through the oscillating shovel-rod components, during which the soil at different layers fell in sequence. This study revealed the interactive relationship between working components and soil, specifically the potential to maintain soil structure after harvesting. This new finding will assist in developing harvest techniques for rhizome crops with deep growth depth.

Methodology of recycling of drainage and waste water in Kazakhstan

The article discusses the issues of reuse of drainage and waste water in the middle reaches of the Syrdarya River. According to the results of the research, it was revealed that the salt balance of the soils of cotton and corn fields in the aeration zone (0-2 m) has different indicators. In the irrigation variant with drainage water up to 6.0 g/l, the soil was saturated by the end of the growing season with salts in the amount of 26.4 t/ha under cotton crops and 63.8 t/ha under corn, when irrigated with river water, a favorable salt regime was observed, i.e., salts were removed to the underlying horizons or drainage from the upper layer in the amount of 81.3 t/ha under cotton and 42.6 t/ha under corn. For desalination of drainage and waste water, crushed natural saline plants (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Alhagi, and others) and a 20 % concentration of glauconite clay or phosphogypsum, which are diluted with drainage and waste water, are used in the complex. The resulting reclamation complex allows reducing the mineralization of drainage and waste water to standard indicators.

Integrated network pharmacology and experimental analysis unveil multi-targeted effect of 18α- glycyrrhetinic acid against non-small cell lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most malignant types of cancer with soaring incidence rates worldwide, attributed to its heterogeneity and complex etiology. Evidently, alternative anti-cancer therapies comprising traditional medicines and natural products have gained attention for their ability to act as chemopreventive agents with minimal toxicities, either alone or in combination. Accumulating studies have substantiated the inevitability of network pharmacology studies for effectively mapping molecular targets of natural products against multifaceted diseases, including cancer. The 18α-Glycyrrhetinic acid (18α-GA), a triterpenoid found in licorice plants, has shown promising medicinal properties, although, its mechanism of action against NSCLC yet remains elusive. The present study was conducted to explore the anti- NSCLC potential of 18α-GA, employing integrative network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental research. Initially, network analysis revealed 181 common targets of 18α-GA in NSCLC as shown in the “compound-target- disease” network employing Cytoscape 3.8.2. Further analyses identified EGFR, AKT1, PI3KR1, MAPK1, IGF1, and SRC as the most crucial hub targets of 18α-GA against NSCLC. Moreover, molecular docking simulations and functional enrichment analyses indicated the involvement of multiple signaling pathways in suppressing NSCLC. Subsequent in-vitro studies verified the antiproliferative effect of 18α-GA on two NSCLC cancer cell lines, H1299 and A549. Mechanistically, 18α-GA arrested cell cycle at the G1 phase, induced apoptosis, decreased migratory potential, and protein expression levels of EGFR-PI3K/AKT, as examined by flow cytometry, morphological assessment, RT-PCR, and western blot. In conclusion, this study delineates the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanism(s) of 18α-GA as a putative novel drug against NSCLC. However, further studies are warranted to elucidate the complete molecular mechanism(s) using animal models of NSCLC.

The Efficacy of Traditional Medicinal Plants in Modulating the Main Protease of SARS‐CoV‐2 and Cytokine Storm

Selected traditional medicinal plants exhibit therapeutic effects in coronavirus disease (Covid‐19) patients. This review aims to identify the phytochemicals from five traditional medicinal plants (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Nigella sativa, Curcuma longa, Tinospora cordifolia and Withania somnifera) with high potential in modulating the main protease (Mpro) activity and cytokine storm in Covid‐19 infection. The Mpro binding affinity of 13 plant phytochemicals were in the following order: Withanoside II > withanoside IV > withaferin A > α‐hederin > withanoside V > sitoindoside IX > glabridin > liquiritigenin, nigellidine > curcumin > glycyrrhizin > tinocordiside > berberine. Among these phytochemicals, glycyrrhizin, withaferin A, curcumin, nigellidine and cordifolioside A suppressed SARS‐CoV‐2 replication and showed stronger anti‐inflammatory activities than standard Covid‐19 drugs. Both pre‐clinical and clinical evidences supported the development of plant phytochemicals as Mpro inhibitors.

Photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence of Iranian licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra l.) accessions under salinity stress.

While salinity is increasingly becoming a prominent concern in arable farms around the globe, various treatments can be used for the mitigation of salt stress. Here, the effective presence of Azotobacter sp. inoculation (A1) and absence of inoculation (A0) was evaluated on Iranian licorice plants under NaCl stress (0 and 200 mM) (S0 and S1, respectively). In this regard, 16 Iranian licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) accessions were evaluated for the effects on photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence. Leaf samples were measured for photosynthetic pigments (via a spectrophotometer), stomatal and trichome-related features (via SEM), along with several other morphological and biochemical features. The results revealed an increase in the amount of carotenoids that was caused by bacterial inoculation, which was 28.3% higher than the non-inoculated treatment. Maximum initial fluorescence intensity (F0) (86.7) was observed in the ‘Bardsir’ accession. Meanwhile, the highest variable fluorescence (Fv), maximal fluorescence intensity (Fm), and maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm) (0.3, 0.4, and 0.8, respectively) were observed in the ‘Eghlid’ accession. Regarding anatomical observations of the leaf structure, salinity reduced stomatal density but increased trichome density. Under the effect of bacterial inoculation, salinity stress was mitigated. With the effect of bacterial inoculation under salinity stress, stomatal length and width increased, compared to the condition of no bacterial inoculation. Minimum malondialdehyde content was observed in ‘Mahabad’ accession (17.8 μmol/g FW). Principle component analysis (PCA) showed that ‘Kashmar’, ‘Sepidan’, ‘Bajgah’, ‘Kermanshah’, and ‘Taft’ accessions were categorized in the same group while being characterized by better performance in the aerial parts of plants. Taken together, the present results generally indicated that selecting the best genotypes, along with exogenous applications of Azotobacter, can improve the outcomes of licorice cultivation for industrial purposes under harsh environments.

Altı Tıbbi Bitkinin Sitotoksik Etkileri ve SARS-CoV-2'ye Karşı Antiviral Etkinliğinin Araştırılması

Aim: Today, the COVID-19 pandemic, which causes deaths in 224 countries around the world, continues to show its effect all over the world. However, unfortunately, there are few studies that determine the effect of natural products derived from plants on COVID-19. However, as it is known, the source of most drugs is plants and medicinal aromatic plants have been used frequently for therapeutic purposes since the existence of humanity. The aim of this study is to investigate the cytotoxic effects of six medicinal plants such as Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.), Laurel (Lauris nobilis), Buckwheat (Lavandula stoechas) and Zahter (Thymbra spicata L. var. spicata) and their antiviral activities against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro conditions.&#x0D; Material and Method: This study was carried out in two stages. In the first stage, plants were collected and extracts were obtained. At the beginning of the second stage, cytotoxic effects on vero cells at non-cytotoxic broad-spectrum concentrations against SARS-CoV-2 in cell culture of six medicinal plants were investigated. In this step, the concentration of six ethnobotanically important medicinal plants that were not cytotoxic to SARS-CoV-2 was determined. In the continuation of the second stage, the plants were evaluated for the determination of viral replication inhibition and their antiviral effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2. In this step, in vitro antiviral effects of plants against SARS-CoV-2 were determined at a concentration that did not show cytotoxic effects.. &#x0D; Results: The concentration of six plants used in the study without cytotoxic effects was determined.. Among the plants examined, it was determined that the only plant that was effective against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro conditions was the licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra). The licorice plant was found to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in vitro at the 2nd dilution (1:4) after the initial concentration.&#x0D; Conclusion: According to the findings obtained from our study, it was determined that the licorice plant was effective against the SARS-CoV-2 in vitro conditions. Supported by further studies, it can be thought that our findings may contribute to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.&#x0D; Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, Antiviral Efficacy, Plant Extract, Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.), Laurel (Lauris nobilis), Buckwheat (Lavandula stoechas), Zahter (Thymbra spicata L. var. spicata).

Perspectives of Licorice Production in Harsh Environments of the Aral Sea Regions.

Along with pharmacological applications due to bioactive elements such as flavonoids and glycyrrhizin, licorice has positive influences on the rehabilitation, rejuvenation, and management of salt-affected degraded lands in arid regions. These features made this plant widely appreciated worldwide when climate change is showing detrimental impacts for crop production and food security. However, a growing demand followed by irrational harvesting of wild licorice plants has led to substantial dwindling of its natural habitat. There is an increasing need to protect the plant biodiversity since sustainability can be a problem with wild harvesting. Therefore, it is important to investigate cultivation technologies of licorice under harsh environments, while this plant can adapt to a wide range of climates. Thus, in this review, we studied, analyzed and summarized the literature on licorice cultivation methods counteracting the most common environmental stresses in the Aral Sea region. Particularly, the current knowledge was rationalized regarding on cultivation technologies for alleviating salt stress thereby improving crop production. We also highlighted that future research directions on licorice breeding and genomics that might facilitate to produce more resilient and sustainable licorice genotypes to renovate agricultural productivity under disastrous ecology and climate change of the arid regions. Whereas this area possesses all prerequisite conditions needed for successful cultivation of the alternative cash crop.

Onverklaarbare therapieresistente hypokaliëmie bij een 63-jarige man

Unexplained therapy-resistant hypokalemia in a 63-year-old man The clinical history of a 63-year-old Caucasian man with persistent hypokalemia, hypernatremia and arterial hypertension is described. No abnormalities could be identified in the medical history, nor in the clinical examination or additional technical investigations. A decreased renin plasma level and a rather low aldosterone plasma level were observed. By assessing the patient’s dietary habits, a frequent licorice intake was noted. This case is compatible with the clinical presentation of glycyrrhizin-mediated pseudohyperaldosteronism. Glycyrrhizin is a component of licorice root extract, which is found in the roots of the licorice plant. It is frequently used as a sweetener in various food products, such as licorice. Through various mechanisms, excessive consumption of glycyrrhizin provokes the clinical effects of hyperaldosteronism, but in the absence of increased aldosterone levels. Glycyrrhizin inhibits 11-beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase type 2, resulting in an increased concentration and binding of cortisol on the mineralocorticoid receptor. Furthermore, it has an inhibitory effect on 5-beta-reductase, which results in a decreased degradation of aldosterone in the liver and thus enhances the aldosterone effect. Glycyrrhizin also directly activates the mineralocorticoid receptor. Hence, the overstimulated mineralocorticoid receptor results in hypokalemia, hypernatremia and hypertension. The diagnosis can be made based on the clinical presentation and laboratory values ​​in both blood and urine samples. Potassium substitution combined with the cessation of licorice consumption resulted in the normalization of the laboratory results and a minor decrease in blood pressure. Excessive consumption of glycyrrhizin-containing products should therefore be avoided and be questioned in patients with persistent hypokalemia, hypernatremia and arterial hypertension.

Synthesis and anti-melanoma effect of 3-O-prenyl glycyrrhetinic acid against B16F10 cells via induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated autophagy through ERK/AKT signaling pathway.

Melanoma is an aggressive form of cancer with poor prognosis and survival rates and limited therapeutic options. Here, we report the anti-melanoma effect of 3-O-prenyl glycyrrhetinic acid (NPC-402), a derivative of glycyrrhtinic acid, from a reputed medicinal plant Glycyrrhiza glabra against B16F10 cells. We studied the cytotoxic effect of NPC-402 on melanoma cells and investigated the role of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, AKT axis, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress/unfolded protein response (UPR)-mediated autophagy as the involved signaling cascade by studying specific marker proteins. In this study, 4-phenylbutyric acid (4PBA, a chemical chaperone) and small interference RNA (siRNA) knockdown of C/EBP Homologous Protein (CHOP)/growth arrest- and DNA damage-inducible gene 153(GAD153) blocked NPC-402-mediated autophagy induction, thus confirming the role of ER stress and autophagy in melanoma cell death. NPC-402 induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in melanoma cells, which were effectively mitigated by treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC). In vivo studies showed that intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of NPC-402 at 10 mg/kg (5 days in 1 week) significantly retarded angiogenesis in the Matrigel plug assay and reduced the tumor size and tumor weight without causing any significant toxic manifestation in C57BL/6J mice. We conclude that NPC-402 has a high potential to be developed as a chemotherapeutic drug against melanoma.

Therapeutic Intervention in Cancer by Isoliquiritigenin from Licorice: A Natural Antioxidant and Redox Regulator.

Oxidative stress could lead to a variety of body dysfunctions, including neurodegeneration and cancer, which are closely associated with intracellular signal transducers such as reactive oxygen species (ROS). It has been suggested that ROS is the upstream regulator of autophagy, and that it provides a negative feedback regulation to remove oxidative damage. Defects in the ROS-autophagic redox homeostasis could lead to the increased production of ROS and the accumulation of damaged organelles that in turn promote metabolic reprogramming and induce tumorigenesis. One significant characteristic of pancreatic cancer is the reprogramming of cellular energy metabolism, which facilitates the rapid growth, invasiveness, and the survival of cancer cells. Thus, the rectification of metabolic dysfunction is essential in therapeutic cancer targeting. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a chalcone obtained from the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra, which is a powdered root licorice that has been consumed for centuries in different regions of the world. ISL is known to be a natural antioxidant that possesses diversified functions, including redox regulation in cells. This review contains discussions on the herbal source, biological properties, and anticancer potential of ISL. This is the first time that the anticancer activities of ISL in pancreatic cancer has been elucidated, with a coverage of the involvement of antioxidation, metabolic redox regulation, and autophagy in pancreatic cancer development. Furthermore, some remarks on related compounds of the isoflavonoid biosynthetic pathway of ISL will also be discussed.

Separation and Purification of a Powerful Antiviral Agent Glycyrrhizin from Iraqi Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn by HPTLC with MS-APCI Method

Glycyrrhizin, a bioactive component of the licorice plant, has recently been revealed to be particularly efficient in suppressing SARS-associated viral replication and reducing the development and cytopathology of herpes simplex virus type I in human aneuploid HEp2 cells. According to the researchers, glycyrrhizin suppressed antigen expression and lowered hepatitis

Assessment of evapotranspiration of licorice under saline environments: case study from Galaba farm, Uzbekistan

Land salinization is widespread in countries of the arid zone, including in the Aral Sea basin, where 4 million hectares of irrigated land are salt-affected, causing high economic losses. Current saline soil reclamation practices include soil leaching and deep drainage to remove excess water outside the irrigated zone. Growing pressure on limited water resources makes this practice ineffective. An alternative is biological methods of salinity control, which are not widely used in the region. In this study, the licorice plant was considered a potential crop for restoring the fertility of salt-affected soils. The study has two objectives: (1) to assess evapotranspiration from licorice fields, and; (2) to track changes in soil chemical properties as affected by the cultivation of licorice on irrigated land. The results of the study indicate high evapotranspiration from licorice fields under irrigation. The total amount of soluble salts may increase in the soil profile; however, after more than 10 years of cultivation of the crop, no accumulation of toxic salts has occurred and there was no deterioration in the chemical and water-physical properties of soils, while at the same time soil fertility has increased. Key words: Soil salinization, Aral Sea basin, licorice, biological reclamation, soil fertility.

Nanoformulation of Glycyrrhizic Acid as a Potent Antiviral Agent Against Covid-19

Abstract: In many previous studies, liquorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra) extracts have been found to contain more than 300 natural compounds, most of which are triterpenoids and flavonoids, and show promising results in clinical studies for treating many microbial and viral infections. Triterpenoids, like glycyrrhizic acid, have shown anti-SARS-CoV activity in vitro. Experimentally, certain glycyrrhizic acid derivatives have shown increased activity by many folds against SARS-associated viruses. These compounds can potentially inhibit the replication cycle of SARS-associated viruses by interfering with the viral gene expression or by inhibiting the spike protein expression, which in turn inhibits the adhesion and entry of the virus. Although the therapeutic has shown great antiviral activity in vitro, but in vivo, its efficiency deteriorates till it reaches the liver for metabolism. In the current review, we analyze the unique replication strategy of SARS-CoV-2 and glycyrrhizic acid as a potential drug against SARS-CoV-2. We also discuss possible nanoformulations of glycyrrhizic acid for efficient drug delivery in humans and as a potent therapeutic strategy for COVID-19.

Formulation of Glycyrrhizic Acid-based Nanocomplexes for Enhanced Anti-cancer and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Curcumin.

In this study, nanocomplexes composed of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) derived from the root of the licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra) were formulated for the delivery of curcumin (CUR). Sonication of amphiphilic GA solution with hydrophobic CUR resulted in the production of nanosized complexes with a size of 164.8 ± 51.7 nm, which greatly enhanced the solubility of CUR in aqueous solution. A majority of the CURs were released from these GA/ CUR nanocomplexes within 12 h. GA/CUR nanocomplexes exhibited excellent intracellular uptake in human breast cancer cells (Michigan cancer foundation-7/multi-drug resistant cells), indicating enhanced anti-cancer effects compared to that of free CUR. In addition, GA/CUR nanocomplexes demonstrated high intracellular uptake into macrophages (RAW264.7 cells), consequently reducing the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α. Furthermore, GA/CUR nanocomplexes successfully reduced the levels of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines and splenomegaly in a rheumatoid arthritis model.