Uralensis Extract Research Articles

The constituents of licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) differentially suppress nitric oxide production in interleukin-1β-treated hepatocytes

Licorice (Glycyrrhizae radix) is the roots and stolons of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer or Glycyrrhiza glabra Linnaeus in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia. Glycyrrhizae radix has been widely used as a sweetener and a traditional medicine. A Glycyrrhizae radix extract contains many constituents and has antispasmodic, antitussive, anti-ulcer, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, reports comparing the anti-inflammatory effects of these constituents are very few. Here, we purified several constituents from the roots and stolons of G. uralensis and examined and compared their anti-inflammatory effects by monitoring the levels of the inflammatory mediator, nitric oxide (NO), in interleukin (IL)-1β-treated rat hepatocytes. From the G. uralensis extract, we purified the main constituent glycyrrhizin and the constituents that are characteristic of G. uralensis (chalcones and flavanones). These constituents suppressed NO production in IL-1β-treated rat hepatocytes, and isoliquiritigenin showed the greatest suppression activity. Isoliquiritigenin, isoliquiritin, and liquiritigenin significantly decreased both protein and mRNA for the inducible nitric oxide synthase. These constituents reduced the levels of mRNAs encoding tumor necrosis factor α and IL-6. In contrast, although glycyrrhizin is abundant, it showed a 100-fold lower potency in NO suppression. Therefore, both glycyrrhizin and the minor constituents (isoliquiritigenin, isoliquiritin, and liquiritigenin) may be responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of G. uralensis. It is also implied that these constituents may have a therapeutic potential for inflammatory hepatic disorders.

Orthogonal Analysis Underscores the Relevance of Primary and Secondary Metabolites in Licorice.

Licorice botanicals are produced from the roots of Glycyrrhiza species (Fabaceae), encompassing metabolites of both plant and rhizobial origin. The composition in both primary and secondary metabolites (1°/2°Ms) reflects the physiologic state of the plant at harvest. Interestingly, the relative abundance of 1°Ms vs 2°Ms in licorice extracts remains undetermined. A centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) method was developed to purify liquiritin derivatives that represent major bioactive 2°Ms and to concentrate the polar 1°Ms from the crude extract of Glycyrrhiza uralensis. One objective was to determine the purity of the generated reference materials by orthogonal UHPLC-UV/LC-MS and qHNMR analyses. The other objectives were to evaluate the presence of 1°Ms in purified 2°Ms and define their mass balance in a crude botanical extract. Whereas most impurities could be assigned to well-known 1°Ms, p-hydroxybenzylmalonic acid, a new natural tyrosine analogue, was also identified. Additionally, in the most polar fraction, sucrose and proline represented 93% (w/w) of all qHNMR-quantified 1°Ms. Compared to the 2°Ms, accounting for 11.9% by UHPLC-UV, 1°Ms quantified by qHNMR defined an additional 74.8% of G. uralensis extract. The combined orthogonal methods enable the mass balance characterization of licorice extracts and highlight the relevance of 1°Ms, and accompanying metabolites, for botanical quality control.

Changes in microbial diversity, methanogenesis and fermentation characteristics in the rumen in response to medicinal plant extracts.

This study evaluated the in vitro effect of medicinal plant extracts on ruminal methanogenesis, four different groups of methanogens and ruminal fermentation characteristics. A fistulated Holstein cow was used as a donor of rumen fluid. Licorice and mugwort extracts (Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Artemisia capillaris, 0.5% and 1% of total substrate DM, respectively), previously used as folk remedies, were added to an in vitro fermentation incubated with buffered-rumen fluid. Total gas production in Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract treatment was not significantly different between treatments (p<0.05) while total gas production in the Artemisia capillaris extract treatment was lower than that of the control. Artemisia capillaris extract and Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract reduced CH4 emission by 14% (p<0.05) and 8% (p<0.05), respectively. Ciliate-associated methanogens population decreased by 18% in the medicinal plant extracts treatments. Medicinal plant extracts also affected the order Methanobacteriales community. Methanobacteriales diversity decreased by 35% in the Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract treatment and 30% in the Artemisia capillaris extract treatment. The order Methanomicrobiales population decreased by 50% in the 0.5% of Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract treatment. These findings demonstrate that medicinal plant extracts have the potential to inhibit in vitro ruminal methanogenesis.

Anti-rotaviral effects of Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract in piglets with rotavirus diarrhea

BackgroundSince rotavirus is one of the leading pathogens that cause severe gastroenteritis and represents a serious threat to human and animal health, researchers have been searching for cheap, safe, and effective anti-rotaviral drugs. There is a widespread of interest in using natural products as antiviral agents, and among them, licorice derived from Glycyrrhiza spp. has exerted antiviral properties against several viruses. In this study, anti-rotaviral efficacy of Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract (GUE) as an effective and cheaper remedy without side-effects was evaluated in colostrums-deprived piglets after induction of rotavirus diarrhea.MethodsColostrums-deprived piglets were inoculated with porcine rotavirus K85 (G5P[7]) strain. On the onset of diarrhea, piglets were treated with different concentration of GUE. To evaluate the antiviral efficacy of GUE, fecal consistency score, fecal virus shedding and histological changes of the small intestine, mRNA expression levels of inflammation-related cytokines (IL8, IL10, IFN-β, IFN-γ and TNF-α), signaling molecules (p38 and JNK), and transcription factor (NFκB) in the small intestine and spleen were determined.ResultsAmong the dosages (100-400 mg/ml) administrated to animals, 400 mg/ml of GUE cured diarrhea, and markedly improved small intestinal lesion score and fecal virus shedding. mRNA expression levels of inflammation-related cytokines (IL8, IL10, IFN-β, IFN-γ and TNF-α), signaling molecules (p38 and JNK), and transcription factor (NFκB) in the small intestine and spleen were markedly increased in animals with RVA-induced diarrhea, but dose- dependently decreased in GUE treated animals after RVA-induced diarrhea.ConclusionsGUE cures rotaviral enteritis by coordinating antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. Therapy of this herbal medicine can be a viable medication for curing rotaviral enteritis in animals and humans.

Cardioprotective Effects of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Extract Against Doxorubicin- Induced Toxicity

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the cardioprotective effects of Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract (GUE) against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity. Imprinting control region (ICR) mice were treated with saline, DOX (20 mg/kg intraperitoneal [ip] for once), GUE (100 mg/kg intragastric [ig] for 8 days), co-treatments with DOX and GUE (100 mg/kg ig for 8 days), and amifostine (100 mg/kg intravenous [iv] for once), respectively. Serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-P(X)) activity, and glutathione (GSH) level in heart tissue were measured. Histopathologic analysis of heart tissue was also performed. Treatment with GUE significantly protected the mice from DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, indicated by decreased levels of serum LDH and CK-MB, improved heart morphology and increased GSH-P(X) activity and GSH level. Additionally, GUE did not compromise the tumor-inhibitory effect of DOX. In conclusion, our studies imply the potentially clinical application of GUE to overcome the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin.

Study of two-dimensional liquid chromatography with high temperature NPLC and room temperature RPLC

To overcome the peak band broadening and to increase the peak capacity and separation efficiency of a two-dimensional liquid chromatographic system, a high-temperature normal phase liquid chromatography (HTNPLC) was used as the first dimension (1st-D), and a RPLC was used as the second dimension (2nd-D). The sample was first separated on the 1st-D CN column and the primary eluent stored in the sampling-loop system alternatively (in HTNPLC×RPLC mode) or selectively (in HTNPLC/RPLC mode) and was then transferred to 2nd-D C18 column for further separation. The resolution and separation efficiency of the systems were greatly improved. The systems were evaluated by analyzing several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract.

Simultaneous Determination of Glycyrrhizic Acid and Liquiritin in Glycyrrhiza uralensis Extract by HPLC with ELSD Detection

Simultaneous quantitative determination of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin in Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract was developed using a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to an evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD). A Luna C18 column was used, along with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 3.0% (v/v) aqueous acetic acid in a gradient elution mode, at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Parameters of ELSD were 105°C for the drift tube temperature and 2.8 L/min for the gas flow‐rate. Retention times of liquiritin and glycyrrhizic acid were 4.1 and 8.3 min, respectively. Logarithmic calibration curves were obtained for glycyrrhizic acid from 0.50 to 5.72 µg (r2>0.999) with a precision of 0.95% R.S.D and for liquiritin from 0.30 to 6.00 µg (r2>0.999) with a precision of 0.59% R.S.D. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin were 168.3 ng and 200 ng (S/N=3), respectively. This method was successfully applied to quality evaluation in licorice raw materials and related commercial formulations.

Identification of Tyrosinase Inhibitors fromGlycyrrhiza uralensis

Tyrosinase is a key enzyme in the production of melanins. Phytochemical studies of a Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract were performed by measuring the tyrosinase and melanin synthesis inhibitory activity. Glycyrrhisoflavone and glyasperin C were identified as tyrosinase inhibitors for the first time. Glyasperin C showed a stronger tyrosinase inhibitory activity (IC (50) = 0.13 +/- 0.01 microg/mL) than glabridin (IC (50) = 0.25 +/- 0.01 microg/mL) and a moderate inhibition of melanin production (17.65 +/- 8.8 % at 5 microg/mL). Glycyrrhisoflavone showed a strong melanin synthesis inhibitory activity (63.73 +/- 6.8 % inhibition at 5 microg/mL). These results suggest that glyasperin C and glycyrrhisoflavone could be promising candidates in the design of skin-whitening agents.

Chemopreventive properties of the ethanol extract of chinese licorice ( Glycyrrhiza uralensis) root: induction of apoptosis and G1 cell cycle arrest in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Much of the interest on the chemopreventive properties of licorice has been focused on the plant genius Glycyrrhiza glabra. In this study the ethanol extract of Chinese licorice root, Glycyrrhiza uralensis ( G. uralensis) was investigated for its estrogenic effect and the ability to inhibit cell proliferation in the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line. The extract of the root of G. uralensis was fractionated in EtOH:H 2O (80:20) (80% ethanol). The extract exhibited estrogenic effects similar to 17β- estradiol (E2) and induced apoptosis at the same dose level (100 μg/ml) in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, results were associated with up-regulation of tumor suppressor gene p53 and pro-apoptotic protein Bax. G. uralensis extract caused the up-regulation of p21 waf1/cip1 and down-regulation of cdk 2 and cyclin E and most significantly, induced G1 cell cycle arrest. This is the first study to show that the ethanolic extract of the root of G. uralensis has an estrogen-like activity and anti-cancer effects against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Whilst the use of phytoestrogens to protect against hormone-dependent cancers or as a ‘natural’ alternative to hormone replacement therapy remains controversial, the data in this paper support the suggestion that extracts of root of the Chinese licorice G. uralensis might be of importance in this debate.