The effect of Hydro-alcoholic Extract of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza Glabra) Rhizome on the Mechanical Activity of the Colon of Male Rats and its Interaction with Adrenergic System

Abstract: Back ground & aim: Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) is a native medicinal plant of Iran which its rhizome has been traditionally used for treatment of bowel spasm and diarrhea. Accordingly, the present study aimed to determine the effect of the hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice rhizome on mechanical activity of isolated colon of male rats. Methods: In the present experimental study, the colon tissue of 10 adult male rats were dissected and divided into two groups: experimental and control. Each group consisted of 10 strips of tissue. Then, the mechanical activity of tissue strips were recorded by power lab A-D instrument in basal condition, and after administration of phenylephrine and epinephrine and propranolol in the presence and absence of licorice rhizome extract (with effective dose 0.036 mg/ml). Moreover, the mechanical activity of control group strips were recorded at the same condition with extract solvent (ethanol %70). Data were analyzed statistically with using the SPSS software version 19 using Independent-Samples t-test. Result: The mechanical activity of tissue in presence of extract and epinephrine significantly decreased (p≤0.05) compared to the control group. While the mechanical activity in the presence of extract and propranolol significantly increased (p≤0.05) compared to the control group. However, no significant modification was observed in the mechanical activity of the tissue  in the presence of phenylephrine and extract compared to the control group.  Conclusion: According to the present study, it could be concluded that hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice maybe has modifying effect on colon motility via synergist effect with beta adrenergic receptors and independent of the alpha adrenergic receptors

Evaluation the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of GlycyrrhizaGlabra rhizome on the isolated colon contractions of male rats

Introduction:The licorice (Glycyrrhizaglabra) rhizome has been widely used in traditional medicine for treatment of gastrointestinal diseases such as gastric ulcer and relieve intestinal spasms. In the present study, the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of licoricerhizome on mechanical activity of isolated colon of male rats has been studied. Methods: Adult male rats were anesthetized by ethyl ether, their abdomen opened, and colon tissues were removed and divided into 1 cm segments. The segments were connected to a force transducer longitudinally and inserted to an organ bathe contained oxygenated Tyrode solution (37 °C, pH=7.4). Their mechanical activity of ileum was recorded by power lab AD instrument in basal condition, and after administration of L-NAME (10-4M), acetylcholine (4×10-5M) and Atropine (10-5M) drugs in the presence and absence of licorice rhizome extract were recorded (0.036mg/ml). Also, the mechanical activity of control group segments were recorded at the same condition with extract solvent (ethanol %70). Results: A significant decrease in mechanical activity of the isolated colon occurred after administration of hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice rhizome compared to the control group (p≤0.05). Also, a significant decrease was seen in mechanical activity occurredin the co-administration of extract and acetylcholine compared to the control group. The mechanical activity of tissue was not significantly changed in the presence of Atropine and extract between experimental and control groups. The mechanical activity of ileum tissue was not significantly changed in the co-administration of L-NAME and extract between experimental and control groups. Conclusion: We can conclude that hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice has modifying effect on colon motility, and this activity may be occurred independently in the nitrergic and cholinergic systems