Planta Med 2007; 73(3): 257-261
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-967126
Original Paper
Pharmacology
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

In Vitro and In Vivo Antiallergic Effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Its Components

Yong-Wook Shin1 , Eun-Ah Bae1 , Bomi Lee1 , Seung Ho Lee2 , Jeong Ah Kim2 , Yeong-Shik Kim3 , Dong-Hyun Kim1
  • 1College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-ku, Seoul, Korea
  • 2College of Pharmacy, Yeugnam University, Kyongsan, Kyungsangbuk-do, Korea
  • 3Institute of Natural Product, Seoul National University, Jongro-Ku, Seoul, Korea
Further Information

Publication History

Received: October 4, 2006

Accepted: January 15, 2007

Publication Date:
28 February 2007 (online)

Abstract

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Leguminosae) is frequently used in traditional medicine to treat inflammatory and allergic diseases. In this study, the main components (glycyrrhizin, 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid, isoliquiritin, and liquiritigenin) were isolated from licorice, and their anti-allergic effects, such as antiscratching behavior and IgE production-inhibitory activity, were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Liquiritigenin and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid most potently inhibited the degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells induced by IgE with the antigen (DNP-HSA) and rat peritoneal mast cells induced by compound 48/80. Liquiritigenin and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid potently inhibited the passive cutaneous anaphylactic reaction as well as the scratching behavior in mice induced by compound 48/80. These components inhibited the production of IgE in ovalbumin-induced asthma mice but liquiritigenin had little effect. This suggests that the antiallergic effects of licorice are mainly due to glycyrrhizin, 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid, and liquiritigenin, which can relieve IgE-induced allergic diseases such as dermatitis and asthma.

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Prof. Dr. Dong-Hyun Kim

College of Pharmacy

Kyung-Hee University

1 Hoegi

Dongdaemun-ku

Seoul 130-701

Korea

Fax: +82-2-957-5030

Email: dhkim@khu.ac.kr