Hepatoprotective effect of licorice, the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer, in alcohol-induced fatty liver disease

Jung, JC; Lee, YH; Kim, SH; Kim, KJ; Kim, KM; Oh, S; Jung, YS

HERO ID

3539381

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2016

Language

English

PMID

26801973

HERO ID 3539381
In Press No
Year 2016
Title Hepatoprotective effect of licorice, the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer, in alcohol-induced fatty liver disease
Authors Jung, JC; Lee, YH; Kim, SH; Kim, KJ; Kim, KM; Oh, S; Jung, YS
Journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Volume 16
Page Numbers 19
Abstract <strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Our previous study suggested that licorice has anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated microglial cells and anti-oxidative activity in tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced oxidative liver damage. In this study, we evaluated the effect of licorice on chronic alcohol-induced fatty liver injury mediated by inflammation and oxidative stress.<br /><br /><strong>METHODS: </strong>Raw licorice was extracted, and quantitative and qualitative analysis of its components was performed by using LC-MS/MS. Mice were fed a liquid alcohol diet with or without licorice for 4 weeks.<br /><br /><strong>RESULTS: </strong>We have standardized 70% fermented ethanol extracted licorice and confirmed by LC-MS/MS as glycyrrhizic acid (GA), 15.77 ± 0.34 μg/mg; liquiritin (LQ), 14.55 ± 0.42 μg/mg; and liquiritigenin (LG), 1.34 ± 0.02 μg/mg, respectively. Alcohol consumption increased serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities and the levels of triglycerides and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Lipid accumulation in the liver was also markedly induced, whereas the glutathione level was reduced. All these alcohol-induced changes were effectively inhibited by licorice treatment. In particular, the hepatic glutathione level was restored and alcohol-induced TNF-α production was significantly inhibited by licorice.<br /><br /><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>Taken together, our data suggests that protective effect of licorice against alcohol-induced liver injury may be attributed to its anti-inflammatory activity and enhancement of antioxidant defense.
Doi 10.1186/s12906-016-0997-0
Pmid 26801973
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English