Cytoprotective Activity of Glycyrrhizae radix Extract against Arsenite‐Induced Cytotoxicity

Abstract

Licorice, Glycyrrhizae radix, is one of the herbal medicines in East Asia that has been commonly used for treating various diseases, including stomach disorders. This study investigated the effect of licorice on arsenite (As)-induced cytotoxicity in H4IIE cells, a rat hepatocyte-derived cell line. Cell viability was significantly diminished in As-treated H4IIE cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, results from flow cytometric assay and DNA laddering in H4IIE cells showed that As treatment induced apoptotic cell death by activating caspase-3. Licorice (0.1 and 1.0 mg ml−1) treatment significantly inhibited cell death and the activity of caspase-3 in response to As exposure. These results demonstrate that licorice induced a cytoprotective effect against As-induced cell death by inhibition of caspase-3.

Water extract of licorice had anti-viral activity against human respiratory syncytial virus in human respiratory tract cell lines

“…Radix Glycyrrhizae has been used to manage various symptoms in different organ systems worldwide, including sore throat and infectious diseases (Fiore et al, 2008;Shi et al, 2012). Extracts of Radix Glycyrrhizae and its active constituents have been reported to have anti-cancer activity (Seon et al, 2012), organ-protective effect (Kim et al, 2006;Zhang et al, 2011), protection from heavy metal injury (Kim et al, 2008), anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activity (Chin et al, 2007;Wu et al, 2011). In vitro antiviral activities of Radix Glycyrrhizae have been reported against human immunodeficiency virus (Sasaki et al, 2002), Japanese encephalitis virus (Badam, 1997), EV71 (Kuo et al, 2009), Rotavirus (Kwon et al, 2010), SARS-associated coronavirus (Cinatl et al, 2003), Epstein-Barr virus (Lin, 2003), and Flaviviruses (Crance et al, 2003).…”

Methanol extract from radix of Glycyrrhizae uralensis attenuate methamphetamine-induced hyperlocomotor activity

“…Being an important tonic, G. radix is generally used to replenish and invigorate deficient Qi and blood, and widely recommended for life-enhancing properties and cure of injury or swelling and for detoxification [8]. Historically, most experimental studies on pharmacological values of G. radix were devoted to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties [9,10] neuroprotective effects of G. radix and its bioactive ingredients against various noxious stimuli [11]. Most notably, studies done in our lab have shown that methanol extracts of G. radix (MEGR) and isoliquiritigenin suppress cocaine-induced extracellular dopamine release in rat Nacc through GABAb receptors [12], and isoliquiritigenin also prevents Meth-induced neurotoxicity in mouse brain by inhibiting NF-kB activation [13].…”

Cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects of Ebenus boissieri Barbey on breast cancer cells

“…This result indicates the selective toxicity of EB, especially the aerial extract, against cancer cells. The low IC 50 values indicate that the cytotoxic effects of the extracts are more potent than those of various extracts from other members of the Fabaceae family are (Kim et al, 2008;Yu et al, 2008). Wang and Jiao (2001) reported that the ability of compounds to efficiently induce apoptosis in cancer cells indicates anticancer activity.…”