Licorice Research Articles

Medicinal plants in the treatment and prevention of respiratory diseases (review)

Introduction. The aim of the review is to summaries information on medicinal plants used in the prevention of respiratory diseases.Text. According to Rosstat data, respiratory diseases occupy leading positions in the Russian Federation from year to year. For the treatment of acute respiratory diseases plant medicines are used, including Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Mentha spicata L., Eucalyptus globulus Labill., Citrus sinensis (L.) Pers., Cinnamomum camphora J. Presl.Conclusion. The given extracts of medicinal plants have a long experience of application in traditional and scientific medicine, contain a complex of biologically active substances such as essential oils, saponins, polyphenols and polysaccharides with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and other effects that will allow in the complex therapy of acute tonsillopharyngitis, relieve the symptoms of the disease.

Evaluation of the effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Syzygium aromaticum extracts on gene expression of Streptococcus mutans in patients with dental caries

Abstract. Al-Amili ML, Al-Jobori KM. 2025. Evaluation of the effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Syzygium aromaticum extracts on gene expression of Streptococcus mutans in patients with dental caries. Biodiversitas 26: 418-423. Dental caries, primarily associated with Streptococcus mutans, is among the most widespread diseases, particularly in developing regions such as Iraq. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) are plants with significant economic value and antibacterial properties that potentially serve as alternatives to chemically synthesized antibiofilm agents. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of G. glabra and S. aromaticum extracts against S. mutans and to compare their effects with those of antibiotics, mouthwashes, and toothpaste through gene expression analysis of gtfB and gtfD using RT-qPCR. In total, it did not include the methodology or provide details about the Sub-MIC because it was published separately as a second research study in another journal.100 specimens were collected from patients clinically diagnosed by dental physicians at the Hay Al-Hussein Specialized Center in Maysan City, Iraq. RNA was extracted from dentinal lesion specimens and reverse transcribed into complementary DNA (cDNA). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to analyze the expression of the gtfB and gtfD genes using the housekeeping gene 16S rRNA as an internal control. The analysis assessed the effects of licorice extract, clove extract, combined extracts, chlorhexidine mouthwash at sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (sub-MIC), and lacalut toothpaste on S. mutans. RT-qPCR results revealed that clove extract significantly reduced the expression of gtfB compared to other treatments, with fold changes of 0.178, 0.454, and 0.191. Licorice extract notably suppressed gtfD expression, with fold changes of 0.215, 0.390, and 0.003 for isolates 74, 80, and 46, respectively. These findings suggest that the plant extracts inhibited specific biofilm-related genes without necessarily reducing the overall bacterial growth. Therefore, these natural extracts can be developed as innovative natural anti-plaque agents.

Sucrose-dependent production of biomass and bioactive compounds in adventitious root cultures of Glycyrrhiza glabra L., an endangered medicinal plant

Sucrose-dependent production of biomass and bioactive compounds in adventitious root cultures of Glycyrrhiza glabra L., an endangered medicinal plant

Prescription Data Mining and Network Pharmacology Study of 1152 Patients with Rectal Prolapse using Traditional Chinese Medicine.

In recent years, the incidence of rectal prolapse has increased significantly due to the sedentary lifestyle and irregular eating habits of modern life. However, there is a lack of clinical studies on the treatment of rectal prolapse with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with a large sample size. Therefore, this study investigated the characteristics of rectal prolapse treatment formulas and then studied the network pharmacology of their core therapeutic drugs, which can help to provide a reference for the treatment and postoperative care of rectal prolapse patients. This study aimed to explore the prescription characteristics and the mechanism of action of core drugs in the treatment of rectal prolapse in Chinese medicine through data mining and bioinformatics techniques. We collected the diagnosis and treatment information of patients with rectal prolapse from January 2014 to September 2021 in the electronic case database of Nanjing Hospital of TCM, mined the patient information and prescription features using R, screened the active ingredients of the core pairs of drugs and disease drug intersection targets using TCMSP and GnenCard databases, and constructed a Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network using STRING and Cytoscape, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses of the intersecting targets were performed using Metascape and R. We found that prolapse is easy to occur in people over 50 years old, preferably in autumn and winter. Commonly used therapeutic Chinese medicines include Glycyrrhiza glabra, Radix angelicae sinensis, Radix astragali, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Pericarpium citri reticulatae, which are mostly deficiency tonic medicines, warm in nature, and belong to spleen meridian. The core therapeutic medicinal pair was "Bupleuri radix-Cimicifugae rhizoma". There were 190 common targets of Bupleuri radix and Cimicifugae rhizoma, and 71 intersection targets of the drug pair and prolapse. The main components of the core drugs for the treatment of prolapse may be quercetin, kaempferol, Stigmasterol, etc, and the core targets may be CASP3, AKT1, HIF1A, etc. The total number of GO entries for the intersection targets of "Bupleuri radix-Cimicifugae rhizoma" and diseases was 3495, among which the molecular functions accounted for the largest proportion, mainly Pathways in cancer, IL-18 signaling pathway, etc. KEGG enriched pathway analysis yielded 168 results, and the major pathways were pathways in cancer, lipid and atherosclerosis, IL-17 signaling pathway, etc. Conclusion: This study adopted real-world research methodology and used data mining and bioinformatics technology to mine the medication law of rectal prolapse and its core drug action mechanism from the clinical information of Chinese medicine.

Anti-cystitis glandularis action exerted by glycyrrhetinic acid: bioinformatics analysis and molecular validation.

Cystitis glandularis (CG) is a chronic hyperplastic disorder of the bladder, and the available clinical drug therapy is insufficient currently. Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a bioactive compound extracted from the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra, is found with beneficial actions, including anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. We previously reported that GA relieves CG symptoms in animal model, implying the potential application of GA to treat CG. However, the action mechanisms of GA against CG remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify the pivotal targets and therapeutic effects of GA through integrated bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation. Integrated bioinformatics analysis screened eleven potential therapeutic targets for GA against CG, and seven pivotal targets were identified subsequently. Enrichment gene analysis revealed GA exhibiting biological activities against CG via regulating multiple pharmacological targets and molecular pathways associated with inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress. Molecular docking computation revealed potent affinity and interaction between GA and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase2(PTGS2) and mucin 1 (MUC1) proteins in CG. To validate biochemically, increased mRNA and protein expressions of PTGS2 and MUC1 were observed in human CG samples. Compared to CG mice, GA-treated CG mice exhibited reduced inflammatory cytokine contents and downregulated PTGS2 and MUC1 mRNA and protein levels. These integrated findings suggest the potential therapeutic effects of GA against CG via the regulation of targeting genes and pathways. However, further studies are necessary to perform and facilitate the clinical application of GA for treating CG.

Regional environmental impacts on growth traits and phytochemical profiles of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. for enhanced medicinal and industrial use

Identifying the optimal cultivation regions and evaluating the impact of environmental factors are crucial for selecting the best conditions for the commercial production of important medicinal and industrial plants. This study examined the effects of different cultivation areas-Rayen, Eghlid, Kalat, and Zanjan-on the agro-morphological and phytochemical traits of Glycyrrhiza glabra. The findings revealed that the location where the plants were grown significantly influenced their physical and chemical characteristics. The Kalat region produced the tallest plants, measuring 96.86 cm, along with the highest shoot dry weight at 205.17 g, root dry weight of 318.00 g, root yield of 1590.12 g/m², and glabridin content of 2.92 mg/g dry weight (DW). Conversely, samples from the Rayen region had the highest glycyrhizic acid content at 17.92 mg/g DW and liquritigenin content at 1.22 mg/g DW. The Eghlid region showcased the highest total phenol content and antioxidant activity. Additionally, the study found a negative and significant correlation between altitude and glabridin content, indicating that glabridin levels decrease with increasing altitude. Based on the needs of the food and pharmaceutical industries, the study recommends the Rayen region for the production of glycyrhizic acid, the Kalat region for glabridin, and the Eghlid region for phenolic compounds.

Glabridin Suppresses Macrophage Activation by Lipoteichoic Acid In Vitro: The Crucial Role of MAPKs-IL-1β-iNOS Axis Signals in Peritoneal and Alveolar Macrophages

Inflammation, a fundamental response to infection and injury, involves interactions among immune cells and signaling molecules. Dysregulated inflammation contributes to diseases such as autoimmune disorders and cancer. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), produced by macrophages in response to lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from Gram-positive bacteria, is a key inflammatory mediator. Glabridin (GBD), a bioactive compound from licorice root, exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigates GBD’s effects on LTA-induced proinflammatory signaling in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages and alveolar macrophages, MH-S, focusing on IL-1β expression and signaling pathways. Cell viability assays confirmed that 20 μM GBD was non-cytotoxic. Confocal microscopy and quantitative PCR showed that GBD significantly reduced IL-1β fluorescence intensity, mRNA, and protein levels. GBD also inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and nitric oxide (NO) production. Further analysis revealed that GBD suppressed NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation and selectively modulated MAPK pathway activation by reducing JNK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation without affecting ERK. Studies using specific inhibitors demonstrated that IL-1β production reduction was mechanistically linked to MAPK pathway inhibition. These findings highlight GBD’s potential as a therapeutic agent for inflammatory diseases through its ability to modulate critical inflammatory mediators and signaling pathways.

Hovenia dulcis T. extract and Glycyrrhiza glabra as natural antioxidants in Bologna mortadella

Pseudo-fruits of Hovenia dulcis T. are sweet-tasting, edible, and contain numerous nutrients and a significant amount of phenolic compounds, which could serve as a source of natural antioxidants. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the addition of H. dulcis T. extract and licorice root extract (licrezzTM) in the formulation of Bologna-type mortadella and to investigate the inhibition of lipid oxidation during cold storage, to assess their antioxidant properties. Mortadella samples were prepared in duplicate with sodium erythorbate (control), licrezzTM (commercial extract from Glycyrrhiza glabra), and H. dulcis extract, at a concentration of 0,1%. The samples were evaluated for proximate composition, microbiological characteristics, texture profile, lipid oxidation, nitrite content, instrumental color, pH, and water activity. Mortadella with H. dulcis extract did not show significant differences from the control in terms of proximate composition, microbiological characteristics, or texture profile. However, they exhibited slightly lower, but comparable results in the Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) assay during the 28 days of refrigerated storage. The control and H. dulcis extract samples showed approximately a ninefold increase in TBARS values by the end of storage, while licrezzTM showed a twenty-sixfold increase. On the other hand, H. dulcis extract exhibited similar behavior to licrezzTM regarding residual nitrite content. Thus, H. dulcis pseudo-fruits extract shows potential for use as a natural antioxidant in emulsified meat products, alone or in combination with Glycyrrhiza glabra.

Utility Assessment of Isolated Starch and Extract from Thai Yam (Dioscorea hispida Dennst.) for Cosmetic via In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

In Thailand, wild yam, or Dioscorea hispida Dennst., is a starchy crop that is usually underutilized in industry. The purpose of this study was to isolate the starch and extract the phytochemical from D. hispida and use them in cosmetics. Starch was used instead of talcum, which can cause pulmonary talcosis in dusting powder formulas (DP 1-5). GC-MS was used to identify the bioactive components present in the ethanolic extract of D. hispida. The main compounds were identified as 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- (6.51%), stigmasta-5,22-dien-3-ol, (3.beta.,22E)- (6.41%), linoleic acid ethyl ester (5.72%), (Z,Z)-9,12-octadeca-dienoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy-propyl (3.89%), and campesterol (3.40%). Then, the extract was used as an ingredient in facial sleeping mask gel formulas (SM 1–SM 5). Stability tests, physical characteristics, enzyme inhibitions, and sensitization dermal toxicity tests were used to evaluate the DP and SM formulations. The results showed that the fresh tubers of D. hispida showed a 12.5% w/w starch content. The findings demonstrated that starch powder had a restricted size distribution, ranging from 2 to 4 μm, and a smooth surface that was polygonal. Following stability testing, the color, odor, size, and flowability of all DP formulations did not significantly differ. The SEM investigation revealed that DP particles were homogenous. For the sensitization dermal toxicity test, DP denoted no erythema or skin irritation in the guinea pigs. After stability testing, the colors of the SM formulas were deeper, and their viscosity slightly increased. The pH did not significantly change. After the stability test, SM formulas that contained Glycyrrhiza glabra and D. hispida extracts exhibited stable tyrosinase and elastase inhibitory activities, respectively. In the sensitization dermal toxicity test, guinea pigs showed skin irritation at level 2 (not severe) from SM, indicating that redness developed. All of these findings indicate that D. hispida is a plant that has potential for use in the cosmetics industry. Furthermore, D. hispida starch can be made into a beauty dusting powder, and more research should be conducted to develop an effective remedy for patients or those with skin problems.

The effect of the natural antioxidants extracted from Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) on the cryopreservation of chicken breast meat

Background: Chicken meat is highly nutritious, valued for its unique properties and versatility in culinary applications. Also, preparation methods and natural additives to its diet play an important role in estimating the nutritional value of its meat by increasing consumer acceptance of it from health, nutritional, and material aspects. Objective: This study was conducted to determine the effect of licorice as a natural antioxidant on cold-preserved chicken meat. Methods: Phenolic compounds were quantified using the colorimetric method with Folin's reagent, measuring absorbance at 765 nm, and results were expressed in terms of gallic acid equivalents per gram of dry weight. Gallic acid was used as a reference solution to prepare the standard curve with concentrations ranging between 20-120 μg/mL to determine the quantity of phenolic compounds. Determination of antioxidant activity was done using the DPPH method by taking 0.5 mL of the extract solution at concentrations ranging from 50-300 μg/mL and mixing with 3 mL of methanolic DPPH solution. The mixture was mixed for 1 min with a vortex mixer, and samples were measured by spectrophotometer at 517 nm. Moisture, ash, fat, protein, and pH were determined according to the methods mentioned by AOAC. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were estimated by mixing 0.5 g of the sample with 2.5 mL of TBA solution. The mixture was heated in a boiling water bath for 10 min to orange color, chilled by adding 1 mL of chloroform and centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 25 min, and the absorbance was read at 532 nm wavelength. Total microorganisms, molds, and yeast were counted. Results: Protein content increased proportionally with higher concentrations of ethanolic licorice root extract. The gradual increase in protein content in samples is attributed to their antimicrobial effect, which leads to the preservation of meat from microbial growth and the action of proteolytic enzymes. The increase in protein during refrigerated storage is due to the decrease in moisture and increase in dry matter reflected in the increase in protein. The reduced acidity in chicken meat treated with licorice root ethanolic extract is attributed to its antimicrobial effects, which limit the growth of microorganisms responsible for metabolizing nitrogenous compounds. Licorice extracts, rich in phenolic compounds, reduce lipid oxidation. The observed decrease in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances with increasing extract concentration is due to the antioxidant properties of these phenolics with the hydroxyl group attached to the aromatic ring capable of giving hydrogen atoms and inhibiting free radicals. This study found that the growth of microorganisms could be lowered by licorice extract containing phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids, which showed a significant antimicrobial effect. Conclusion: This study examined how natural antioxidants, like licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra, affected the cryopreservation of chicken breast. Keywords: Licorice root extract, chicken breast, antioxidants, total phenol, Meat science

A whole-animal phenotypic drug screen identifies suppressors of atherogenic lipoproteins.

Lipoproteins are essential for lipid transport in all bilaterians. A single Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) molecule is the inseparable structural scaffold of each ApoB-containing lipoprotein (B-lps), which are responsible for transporting lipids to peripheral tissues. The cellular mechanisms that regulate ApoB and B-lp production, secretion, transport, and degradation remain to be fully defined. In humans, elevated levels of vascular B-lps play a causative role in cardiovascular disease. Previously, we have detailed that human B-lp biology is remarkably conserved in the zebrafish using an in vivo chemiluminescent reporter of ApoB (LipoGlo) that does not disrupt ApoB function. Thus, the LipoGlo model is an ideal system for identifying novel mechanisms of ApoB modulation and, due to the ability of zebrafish to generate many progeny, is particularly amenable to large-scale phenotypic drug screening. Here, we report a screen of roughly 3000 compounds that identified 49 unique ApoB-lowering hits. Nineteen hits passed orthogonal screening criteria. A licorice root component, enoxolone, significantly lowered B-lps only in animals that express a functional allele of the nuclear hormone receptor Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4α (HNF4α). Consistent with this result, inhibitors of HNF4α also reduce B-lp levels. These data demonstrate that mechanism(s) of action can be rapidly determined from a whole animal zebrafish phenotypic screen. Given the well documented role of HNF4α in human B-lp biology, these data validate the LipoGlo screening platform for identifying small molecule modulators of B-lps that play a critical role in a leading cause of worldwide mortality.

Stability Indicating Method Development and Validation of Glycyrrhizin Using RP-HPLC-DAD: Application to Glycyrrhiza glabra Extract.

Glycyrrhiza glabra is commonly known as licorice. Licorice is the major source of glycyrrhizin. There is no reported stability indicating method for glycyrrhizin in the literature so far. Therefore, it was proposed to develop a stability indicating method and validate the method for glycyrrhizin and its application in G. glabra root extract. Method validation parameters were performed as per the International Council for Harmonization guidelines. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Zorbax Extended C-18 (250 × 4.6mm, 5μm) column. The separation achieved using the mobile phase consisted of 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile in gradient elution. The flow rate was kept at 1mL/min, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy detection was at 250nm. The average retention time of glycyrrhizin was found to be 7.30min. Stress degradation studies were performed and confirmed that only acidic degradation has shown a degradation profile of glycyrrhizin up to 40%. The percentage of glycyrrhizin was found to be 0.40% in the G. glabra extract. This may be further explored for commercial applications.

Glycyrrhizic Acid Mitigates Haloperidol-Induced Neurotoxicity in SHSY-5Y Cells and Rats Via Activation of PI3k/Akt/Nrf2 Pathways.

Antipsychotic medications are used to treat a psychological condition called 'Schizophrenia'. However, its long-term administration causes irregular involuntary motor movements, targeting the orofacial regions. Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) is a naturally occurring triterpene saponin glycoside obtained from the roots of the Glycyrrhiza glabra (liquorice) plant and well known for its antioxidant, antiapoptotic and neuroprotective abilities. The present study investigated the neuroprotective potential of GA against haloperidol (Halo) induced neurotoxicity in SHSY-5Y cells and Wistar rats. Schrodinger software was utilized to estimate the target binding affinity of GA with various targets. To assess cell viability, SHSY-5Y cells were pretreated with GA (25, 50, and 100 µM) 1h before halo (100 µM) treatment. In an in-vivo study, Wistar rats were divided into five groups: control (saline), halo (1mg/kg), GA (25mg/kg), and GA (50mg/kg). The GA was injected for 21 days, 1h before halo. All behavior changes were recorded on the 14th and 21st days. Results indicate that pretreatment with GA improves cell viability and reduces ROS formation in halo-treated SHSY-5Y cells, showing its antioxidant ability. Furthermore, GA administration reduced vacuous chewing movements, tongue protrusion, facial jerking, and locomotor abnormalities in halo-treated rats. Moreover, GA treatment improves antioxidant levels, including GSH, and SOD, in halo-injected rats. Additionally, GA treatment upregulates the striatal expression of p-PI3k, p-Akt, and Nrf2 in rats injected with halo. Findings indicate that GA can be a therapeutic agent for tardive dyskinesia and other neurological disorders.

Integrative application of licorice root extract and melatonin improves faba bean growth and production in Cd-contaminated saline soil

BackgroundGlobally, salinity poses a threat to crop productivity by hindering plant growth and development via osmotic stress and ionic cytotoxicity. Plant extracts have lately been employed as exogenous adjuvants to improve endogenous plant defense mechanisms when grown under various environmental stresses, such as salinity. This study investigated the potential of melatonin (Mt; 0, 50, and 100 mM) as an antioxidant and licorice root extract (LRE; 0.0 and 3%) as an organic biostimulant applied sequentially as a foliar spray on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) grown in cadmium (Cd)-contaminated saline soil conditions [Cd = 4.71 (mg kg− 1 soil) and ECe = 7.84 (dS m− 1)]. Plants not receive any treatment and sprayed with H2O were considered controls. The experimental treatments were laid out in strip plot in a randomized complete block design replicated thrice, where the LRE and Mt were considered as vertical and horizontal strips, respectively. Growth characteristics, photosynthetic pigments, nutrient uptake, physiology and metabolic responses, anatomical features, and yield were assessed.ResultsCadmium (Cd) and salinity-induced stress significantly altered leaf integrity, photosynthetic efficiency, total soluble sugars (TSS), free proline (FPro), total phenolic, DPPH, and total soluble proteins (TSP), non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants, growth characteristics and yield-related traits. However, the application of LRE + Mt considerably improved these negative effects, with higher improvements were observed due to application of LRE + Mt100. Application of LRE + Mt significantly reduced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation, lipid peroxidation and Cd content in leaves and seeds, all of which had increased due to Cd stress. Application of LRE + Mt significantly mitigated the Cd-induced oxidative damage by increasing the activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, in parallel with enhanced ascorbate and reducing glutathione content. Exogenous application of LRE + Mt significantly increased osmolyte content, including FPro, TSS, and total phenols and mitigated Cd-induced reduction to considerable levels.ConclusionsOur findings showed that LRE + Mt increased V. faba plants’ morphological, physiological, and biochemical properties, reducing Cd stress toxicity, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.

De novo assembly of the mitochondrial genome of Glycyrrhiza glabra and identification of two types of homologous recombination configurations caused by repeat sequences

BackgroundGlycyrrhiza glabra, which is widely used in medicine and therapy, is known as the ‘king of traditional Chinese medicine’. In this study, we successfully assembled and annotated the mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes of G. glabra via high-throughput sequencing technology, combining the advantages of short-read (Illumina) and long-read (Oxford Nanopore) sequencing.ResultsWe revealed the ring structure of the mitochondrial genome, which spans 421,293 bp with 45.1% GC content and 56 annotated genes. Notably, we identified 514 repetitive sequences, including 123 Simple sequence repeats (SRs), 3 Tndem sequence repeats (TSRs), and 388 Dispersed sequence repeats (DSRs). We identified 79 out of the 388 DSRs as potentially involved in homologous recombination. We identified five forward repeats and four palindromic repeats that facilitate homologous recombination and induce alterations in the mitochondrial genome structure. We corroborated this finding via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Furthermore, we identified chloroplast-derived sequence fragments within the mitochondrial genome, offering novel insights into the evolutionary history of plant mitochondrial genomes. We predicted 460 potential RNA editing sites, primarily involving cytosine-to-uracil transitions. This study reveals the complexity of repetitive sequence-mediated homologous recombination in the mitochondrial genome of G. glabra and provides new insights into its structure, function, and evolution.ConclusionsThese findings have important implications for conservation biology, population genetics, and evolutionary studies, underscoring the role of repetitive sequences in genome dynamics and highlighting the need for further research on mitochondrial genome evolution and function in plants.

Biostatistical Analysis of Medicinal Plants for Treating Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a chronic and severe mental disorder, affects approximately 1% of the global population. Despite advances in pharmacotherapy, many patients experience suboptimal treatment responses or debilitating side effects. This has spurred interest in alternative treatments, including medicinal plants. This study aims to conduct a biostatistical analysis of medicinal plants used in treating schizophrenia, evaluating their efficacy and safety through rigorous statistical methods. And this study is dedicated to exploring the potential of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of schizophrenia. Specifically, a carefully formulated prescription consisting of 12g of Moutan Bark, 12g of Gardenia Fruit, 12g of Angelica Sinensis Root, 12g of Silk Tree Bark, 12g of Buddha's Hand Fruit, 12g of Fermented Soybean, 6g of Coptis Root, 6g of Cinnamon Bark, 15g of Chinese Yam Rhizome, 6g of Amomum Fruit, 6g of Licorice Root, 10g of Solomonseal Rhizome, 10g of Green Citrus Peel, and 15g of Spiny Ziziphus Seed was used for treatment. This meticulously blended formula demonstrated remarkable efficacy in rigorous clinical trials. After a period of treatment, patients not only experienced effective alleviation of symptoms but also saw a significant improvement in their quality of life. This achievement not only validates the unique value of traditional Chinese medicine in treating schizophrenia but also offers new treatment options and hope for a wide range of patients.

Liquiritin Ameliorates Palmitic Acid‐Induced Hepatic Steatosis in Mouse Primary Hepatocytes by Suppressing the VEGFA Signaling Pathway

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a global pandemic, imposing a significant socioeconomic burden. Hepatic steatosis is a key pathological event in NAFLD. However, there is still lack of effective drugs for NAFLD treatment. Liquiritin (LIQ), derived from licorice root, exhibits antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory properties, making it valuable in managing various conditions such as dermatological disorders, respiratory ailments, and gastritis. Here, we investigated the impact and underlying mechanisms of LIQ on hepatic steatosis in mouse primary hepatocytes (MPHs). Our study found that LIQ significantly decreased palmitic acid (PA)‐induced lipid accumulation in MPHs. Additionally, LIQ remarkably increased the mRNA expression of Cpt1a, PPARα, Ehhadh, Cyp4a10, and Acox1, suggesting that LIQ achieves its lipid‐lowering effect by regulating mitochondria‐mediated lipid β‐oxidation. Furthermore, the regulatory effect of LIQ on the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) process was confirmed by Seahorse analysis. Mechanistically, bioinformatics analysis predicted VEGFA as a crucial target mediating the beneficial effects of LIQ against PA‐induced lipid accumulation in MPHs. Notably, treatment with purified VEGFA protein partially counteracted the lipid‐lowering properties of LIQ. Additionally, our data showed that LIQ promoted VEGFA degradation through the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. Therefore, our findings not only confirm the lipid‐lowering effects of LIQ in MPHs but also identify VEGFA as its potential target. These results highlight the therapeutic promise of LIQ in managing NAFLD and introduce VEGFA as a novel target for treating hepatic steatosis.

Effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. on Broiler Growth Performance, Slaughter and Carcass Characteristics, Blood biochemistry, and Hematological Parameters: A Systematic Review

Abstract In this systematic review, 79 research articles focusing on the impact of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice) supplementation in broilers were meticulously examined, assessing growth performance, slaughter and carcass traits, and blood parameters. Out of these, 12 studies met the predefined criteria. Licorice supplementation, particularly in the absence of specific dietary constraints, signifi-cantly improved feed consumption, body weight gain, and feed conversion efficiency in broilers. The addition of licorice influ-enced slaughter and carcass traits, increasing the dressing percentage, although results varied based on dosage and form of supplementation. Effects on abdominal fat and spleen weights were inconsistent, while liver, heart, and gizzard weights gen-erally increased. Licorice supplementation affected blood biochemistry, showing varied impacts on markers like glucose, cho-lesterol, and triglycerides. Notably, licorice exhibited potential antioxidant properties by reducing malondialdehyde levels, in-dicating decreased oxidative stress. The review highlighted diverse outcomes across growth performance, slaughter traits, car-cass parameters, and blood biochemistry due to licorice supplementation. Variability in dosage, form, and administration methods underscored the need for standardized protocols. Future research should concentrate on uncovering underlying mechanisms, expanding geographical diversity, and exploring interactions with other feed additives, especially in antibiotic-free diets. Despite its promise, further investigation is necessary to optimize licorice’s role in poultry production.

The Medicinal Value and Clinical Use of Isoliquiritin

Isoliquiritin has garnered increasing interest in recent years due to its promising therapeutic properties. It is kind a flavonoid compound derived from the roots and rhizomes of plants from a traditional Chinese medicine licorice. This plant belongs to Leguminosae Glycyrrhiza genus and were listed in the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China. Traditionally, the dry root and the rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat., or Glycyrrhiza glabra L. has been used for the extraction of isoliquiritin. The active compound, isoliquiritin, is now emerging as a key player in modern clinical research, attributed to its diverse pharmacological activities and potential clinical applications. Recent studies have illuminated isoliquiritin’s multifaceted roles in modulating cellular processes and its potential benefits in treating a range of conditions. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are particularly noteworthy, as they contribute to mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation—two underlying factors in many chronic diseases. Additionally, isoliquiritin’s effects on several signal pathways of cells have led to exploration in the context of relative disorders, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The growing body of evidence supporting isoliquiritin’s efficacy prompts a reevaluation of its clinical potential and therapeutic viability. This paper aims to explore the current state of research on isoliquiritin, focusing on its pharmacokinetics, mechanisms of action, and clinical applications. By analyzing currently available data and assessing ongoing clinical trials, this review seeks to provide a comprehensive overview about the role of isoliquiritin in modern medicine and to identify the future directions about its research and application.

Investigations on Feeding Preferences of Adult Sitona Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Some Host Plants

In this study, we determined the feeding preferences of Sitona callosus Gyllenhal, 1834, S. cylindricollis Fåhraeus, 1840, S. humeralis Stephens, 1831, S. longulus Gyllenhal, 1834, S. macularius (Marsham, 1802), S. obsoletus (Gmelin, 1790), and S. puncticollis Stephens, 1831 species belonging to the genus Sitona (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), black medick (M. lupina L.), white clover (Trifolium repens L.), soybean (Glycine max (L.), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), honey clover (Melilotus albus Medik.), yellow sweet clover (M. officinalis (L.), sainfoin milk vetch (Astragalus onobrychis L.), sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.), and liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) (Fabaceae) plants at 25°C±5°C in the laboratory. Plant preference experiments were established with 10 replications and as a result of analysis of variance (P>0.01), plant preference of each species was found to be significant. As a result, M. sativa and T. repens (100%) were the most preferred by Sitona species. Whereas L. corniculatus (91.43%), M. albus (87.14%), O. viciifolia (81.43%), M. lupina (78.57%), M. officinalis (60.00%), A. onobrychis (31.43%) followed, respectively. The least preferred species were G. glabra (7.14%) and G. max (1.43%).