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Viruses and bacteria can disrupt normal human functions; therefore, ways to use the beneficial properties of plants to promote health are constantly being researched. Plant materials that accumulate biologically active compounds can be used to create a new pharmaceutical form. This study aimed to investigate the biological activity of selected plant extracts and essential oil and to produce microcapsules. The main compounds in extracts and essential oil were determined using chromatographic methods, antioxidant activity was evaluated spectrophotometrically, antimicrobial activity was assessed by monitoring the growth of nine pathogens, and the antiviral effect on infected bird cells with coronavirus was evaluated. Trifolium pratense L. extract had the highest antioxidant (26.27 ± 0.31 and 638.55 ± 9.14 µg TE/g dw by the DPPH and ABTS methods, respectively) and antiviral activity (56 times decreased titre of virus). Liquorice extract expressed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive pathogens and the highest antioxidant activity using the FRAP method (675.71 ± 4.61 mg FS/g dw). Emulsion stability depended on excipients and their amount. Microcapsules with extracts and essential oil were 1.87 mm in diameter, and their diameter after swelling was increased more than two times in intestinal media, while less than 0.5 times in gastric media.

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. root essential oil (GGEO) has well‐known antimicrobial and therapeutic features. In this study, a new antimicrobial carboxymethyl cellulose–polyvinyl alcohol (CMC‐PVA) binary film was developed using GGEO as an active compound. The effects of various concentrations of GGEO (0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75%) were scrutinized on the physicochemical and antibacterial properties of composites. It was discovered that GGEO significantly reduced the composite ultimate tensile strength from 17.01 to 3.86 MPa. Further, by increasing the concentration of GGEO to 0.75%, the water vapor permeability and moisture content increased to 13.61 × 10−9 g/m s−1 Pa−1 and 41.06%, respectively. The results indicated that the active films possessed good inhibitory effects against the gram‐positive bacteria (L. monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus) and were less powerful against gram‐negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and S. typhimurium). Finally, the results highlighted that GGEO can act as an excellent antimicrobial agent in combination with CMC‐PVA composite., Glycyrrhiza glabra L. root essential oil (GGEO) has well‐known antimicrobial and therapeutic features. In this study, a new antimicrobial carboxymethyl cellulose–polyvinyl alcohol (CMC‐PVA) binary film was developed using GGEO as an active compound.

Glycyrrhiza glabra L., known as licorice, is one of the most famous herbs in the world. In this study, we investigated the phytochemical and antitumor activities of G. glabra, especially its anti-colorectal cancer activities. G. glabra was extracted with 70% methanol, and the ethyl acetate layer was separated by silica gel, ODS, LH-20 column chromatography, and semi-preparative HPLC to obtain the compounds. The structures were determined by NMR and MS methods. Three new compounds named licopyranol A–C (1–3), and eighteen known compounds (4–21) were isolated. Compounds with an isoprenyl group or dimethylpyran ring showed better antitumor activities. Licopyranol A (1) and glycyrol (5) both inhibited the proliferation, reduced clone formation and promoted apoptosis of RKO cells. The Western blotting assays showed that glycyrol significantly reduced the expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, c-Myc, and GSK-3β proteins in RKO cells, suggesting that glycyrol may inhibit the growth of colorectal cancer RKO cells via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Literature on microgreens, an emerging new functional food crop, remains limited. Further study on microgreens as a promising dietary component for potential use in diet-based disease prevention is, therefore, essential. Given that the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of mature licorice root material are well-documented, the objective of the present, preliminary study was to present licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) as a novel, edible fresh-food microgreen candidate. The effect of leaf, stem and root polyphenol extracts of 20-day old licorice microgreen seedlings on cell proliferation and viability of Caco-2 cells (simulating the intestinal epithelium), after pro-inflammatory induction of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), was examined and then compared to the polyphenol, flavonoid and anti-radical activities of the respective tissue extracts. Root extracts contained a two-fold less polyphenol (including flavonoid) content compared to leaf extracts, but with a five-fold lower anti-radical scavenging activity. Only the root extracts provided functional protection in terms of preserving cell proliferation and viability of LPS-treated Caco-2 cells. Some protection was also afforded by the stems, but the young leaf material offered no anti-inflammatory protection. Results point to a differing composition of anti-inflammatory polyphenols between the root and leaf, suggesting that the protective efficacy of the root extracts (and to some degree, the stem extracts) resides in inhibiting the pro-inflammatory cascade and resultant cytotoxic effects as opposed to a direct anti-radical scavenging activity. Potential use of licorice as a microgreen is promising, but will necessitate further study.

Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) belongs to the Fabaceae family and its extracts have exhibited significant fungicidal activity against phytopathogenic fungi, which has mainly been attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds such as flavonoids, isoflavonoids and chalcones. In this study, a series of licorice flavonoids, isoflavonoids and chalcones were evaluated for their fungicidal activity against phytopathogenic fungi. Among them, glabridin exhibited significant fungicidal activity against ten kinds of phytopathogenic fungi. Notably, glabridin displayed the most active against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum with an EC50 value of 6.78 µg/mL and was 8-fold more potent than azoxystrobin (EC50, 57.39 µg/mL). Moreover, the in vivo bioassay also demonstrated that glabridin could effectively control S. sclerotiorum. The mechanism studies revealed that glabridin could induce reactive oxygen species accumulation, the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and cell membrane destruction through effecting the expression levels of phosphatidylserine decarboxylase that exerted its fungicidal activity. These findings indicated that glabridin exhibited pronounced fungicidal activities against S. sclerotiorum and could be served as a potential fungicidal candidate.

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological disorder in women of reproductive age. Despite the effective conventional treatments such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and oral contraceptives, researchers have always been looking for alternative drugs due to the adverse effects and limited efficacy of these medications. Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (G. glabra), commonly known as Licorice, has been applied for a long time as a plant with multiple therapeutic potencies in Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM). This study was designed to evaluate the effect of the G. glabra on primary dysmenorrhea. Sixty patients with moderate and severe dysmenorrhea were randomly divided into two groups; one group received 400 mg Ibuprofen tablets every 8 h and placebo syrup and the other received 5 cc of G. glabra syrup two times a day and placebo tablets. The patients took the drugs from the first day of menstruation to fifth for two consequent cycles. The primary pain intensity and its changes were evaluated in each group and compared between two groups. The reduction of pain intensity was 5.85 (±3.11) in the G. glabra group compared with 6.92 (±1.87) in the Ibuprofen group (p < 0.001). No significant difference detected between the two groups (p = 0.151). No serious side effects were reported during the study. This study suggests that we can use G. glabra to relieve pain in the patients with primary dysmenorrhea; although studies with a larger sample size may lead to more comprehensive perceptions about the efficacy of G. glabra.

The purpose of the research was a comparative study of the amino acid composition and the quantitative content of individual amino acids in the over-ground and underground parts of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae) growing in the Volgograd region. Previously, using the reaction with ninhydrin, as well as carrying out TLC on the plates «Silufol», the presence of amino acids in watery extracts from the samples of vegetable raw materials was established. On an AAA 400 amino acid analyzer in the underground and over-ground parts of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. 16 amino acids were identified, 9 of which are interchangeable and 7 are irreplaceable, their quantitative content and accumulation characteristics were established. The total amount of amino acids found in the over-ground parts of the medicinal plant is higher (15.88%) than in the underground organs – 8.42%. Of the individual amino acids, glutamic acid (1.84±0.02%), aspartic acid (1.74±0.02%), arginine (1.03±0.01%), leucine (1.41±0.01%), lysine (1.02±0.01), valine (0.92±0.01%), phenylalanine (0.86±0.01%), isoleucine (0.76±0.01%), threonine (0.77±0.01%) was detected. In the underground organs of the studied plant, aspartic (1.17±0.02%) and glutamic (0.62±0.01%) acids predominantly accumulate, but in percentage they are 1.5–3 times less than the over-ground parts. Separately, it should be noted a feature of the accumulation of proline, which is one of the dominant amino acids in the over-ground and underground parts of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (1.49±0.02% and 1.87±0.02%, respectively). Obtained in the course of the research data indicate the prospects for further study of the over-ground parts of the medicinal as a source of this group of biologically active substances., Цель исследования – сравнительное изучение аминокислотного состава и количественного содержания отдельных аминокислот в надземной и подземных частях солодки голой (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) (Fabaceae), произрастающей вприродных условиях Волгоградской области. Предварительно с помощью реакции с нингидрином, а также проведением ТСХ на пластинках «Silufol» было установлено присутствие аминокислот в водных извлечениях из исследуемых образцов растительного сырья. Методом высокоэффективной жидкостной хроматографии (ВЭЖХ) на аминокислотном анализаторе ААА 400 в подземной и надземной частях солодки голой было идентифицировано 16 аминокислот, 9 из которых являются заменимыми и 7 – незаменимыми, установлено их количественное содержание и особенности накопления. Общая сумма обнаруженных аминокислот в надземной части лекарственного растения выше (15.88%), чем в подземных органах – 8.42%. Из отдельных аминокислот в траве солодки голой преобладают глутаминовая кислота (1.84±0.02%), аспарагиновая кислота (1.74±0.02%), аргинин (1.03±0.01%), лейцин (1.41±0.01%), лизин (1.02±0.01), валин (0.92±0.01%), фенилаланин (0.86±0.01%), изолейцин (0.76±0.01%), треонин (0.77±0.01%). В подземных органах исследуемого растения преимущественное накапливаются аспарагиновая (1.17±0.02%) и глутаминовая (0.62±0.01%) кислоты, но в процентном содержании их в 1.5–3 раза меньше по сравнению с надземной частью. Отдельно следует отметить особенность накопления пролина, являющегося одним из доминирующих аминокислот и в надземной, и в подземной частях солодки голой (1.49±0.02% и 1.87±0.02% соответственно). Полученные в ходе проведенного исследования данные указывают на перспективность дальнейшего изучения надземной части лекарственного растения вкачестве источника данной группы биологически активных веществ.

© 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. In recent years, biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using plant extracts and bioactive compounds has gained much attention. Green synthesis of nanoparticles is eco-friendly, cost-effective, and is a promising substitute for the chemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Also, the previous experiments have revealed that plants raise the cytotoxicity potentials of silver nanoparticles against several cell lines especially tumor cell lines. The present study confirms the potential of aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra L leaf grown under in vitro condition for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Also, in this study, we revealed the antioxidant and anti-acute T cell leukemia properties of AgNPs against J45.01, Jurkat, Clone E6–1, J.CaM1.6, and J.RT3-T3.5 cell lines. Silver nanoparticles were characterized and analyzed using common nanotechnology techniques including UV–Vis. and FT-IR spectroscopy, TEM, and FE-SEM. DPPH free radical scavenging test was carried out to assess the antioxidant potentials of AgNO3, G. glabra, and AgNPs. MTT assay was used on normal cell line (HUVEC) and acute T cell leukemia cell lines (J45.01, Jurkat, Clone E6–1, J.CaM1.6, and J.RT3-T3.5) for analyzing of anti-acute T cell leukemia properties of AgNO3, G. glabra, and AgNPs. FT-IR analysis revealed antioxidant compounds in the nanoparticles were the sources of reducing power, reducing silver ions to AgNPs. TEM and FE-SEM images indicated a uniform spherical morphology in size of 20 nm for silver nanoparticles. DPPH test indicated similar antioxidant activities for G. glabra, AgNPs, and butylated hydroxytoluene. Silver nanoparticles had very low cell viability dose-dependently against J45.01, Jurkat, Clone E6–1, J.CaM1.6, and J.RT3-T3.5 cell lines without any cytotoxicity on HUVEC cell line. The best result of cytotoxicity property of AgNPs against above cell lines was seen in the case of J.CaM1.6 cell line. Above findings confirm the significant antioxidant and anti-acute T cell leukemia properties of AgNPs. After confirming these results in clinical trial studies, AgNPs can be used as a chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of acute T cell leukemia in human.

В результате проведенного маршрутно-рекогносцировочного исследования территории шести районов Волгоградской области были установлены места произрастания солодки голой (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) и определены запасы солодкового корня. Совокупная площадь выявленных зарослей G. glabra составляет 14 га. Промысловое значение имеют ценопопуляции лекарственного растения на пойменных участках крупных рек Хопер, Дон, Ахтуба. Общий биологический запас солодкового корня в пойменных ценопопуляциях составляет 217,9 т, общий эксплуатационный запас 212,5 т, а объем возможных ежегодных заготовок 26,5 т., As a result of the route-reconnaissance study of the territory of six districts of the Volgograd region, the places of growth of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) were established and the reserves of licorice root were determined. The total area of identified thickets of G. glabra is 14 ha. Cenopopulations of a medicinal plant on floodplain sections of large rivers Khoper, Don, Akhtuba are of commercial importance. The total biological reserve of licorice root in floodplain cenopopulations is 217.9 tons, the total exploitation reserve is 212.5 tons, and the probable volume of annual storage is 26.5 tons., Международный научно-исследовательский журнал, Выпуск 5 (95) 2020

International audience; L’Anses a reçu un signalement d’effet indésirable sévère (score de sévérité de niveau 3 avec menace du pronostic vital) susceptible d’être lié à un mésusage (surdosage volontaire) du complément alimentaire Rhubarbe® commercialisé par la société Juvamine. Ce cas a été jugé d’imputabilité vraisemblable. Etant donné la sévérité de l’effet indésirable rapporté, l’Anses a estimé nécessaire de porter ce cas à la connaissance du grand public et des professionnels de santé, dans un but d’amélioration de la sécurité sanitaire du consommateur.

Licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra ) is the rhizome and root known as sweet wood. Two varieties of Glycyrrhiza (var. glabra and var. glandulifera ) were studied. The major objective of this study was to establish callus induction on Glycyrrhiza and to assess the molecular genetic variation between the mother plants and their calli using ISSR markers. Calli were formed from leaves of Glycyrrhiza cultured on Murashige and Skoog’s medium supplemented with combinations of various concentrations of auxins and cytokinins. The highest callus induction and callus fresh weight of 2 varieties tested were obtained on a medium containing 0.5 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid with 1mg/l 1-naphthalene acetic acid and 0.5 mg/l kinetin. Genomic DNA was isolated from plants and calli using cetyltriethyl ammonium bromide method and amplified by PCR using ISSR primers. The results showed the presence of genetic variations at the DNA level during in vitro culture between callus and mother plants.

Background:In order toevaluate the effects of licorice flavonoid oil (LFO)on abdominalwaist circumference, blood pressure, body weight, body mass index (BMI), lipid profile, body fat composition,and fasting blood glucose in patients with metabolic syndrome, a 12 week randomized double-blind placebo-controlledstudywas conducted. Methods: Fiftypatientswith metabolic syndrome agedbetween 18-75 years were assigned toeither the LFO or placebo group. Abdominal waist circumference, blood pressure, body weight,and BMI were assessed atbaseline, week 4, week 8,and week 12. Clinical laboratory examinations, fat composition,andfasting blood glucose level wereassessed at baseline (week 0) and final visit(week 12).Results: Atotal of 50 subjects (25 subjects in each group)completed the 12-weekstudy. Significant difference inchangesfrom the baseline wasobserved in body weight, waist circumference,and BMI in the LFOgroup compared to the placebo group from week 4or week 8 onwards. No adverse events were noted throughout the study. Conclusion: The present study suggeststhat LFOisa promising dietary nutrient forimproving metabolic syndrome, particularlythroughits beneficial effect of normalizingbody weight, BMI,and possibly the amount of visceral fatand HDL cholesterol.

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Desmodium canadense (L.) DC. – are the herbaceous perennial species of Fabaceae family. Both plants are commonly used herbs in ayurvedic medicine and in modern medicine. Studies have shown that extracts of plants roots possess antibacterial, antioxidant, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory properties. Based on scientific literature bean family plants accumulate proteins. It was found that preparations of both plants contain a big amount of proteins, but the quantity has not been studied during vegetation phases. The aim of the experiment was to compare protein content in liquorice and Canadian tick-trefoil roots during vegetation phases – regrow, intensive growing, bud, blooming and seed maturity. Experimental material and methods: the objective - raw root material, collected in the Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas. Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Desmodium canadense (L.) DC. protein fractions were obtained from liquorice and Canadian tick-trefoil roots by extraction and fractionation with ammonium sulphate and protease inhibitor - 𝜀-amino-capronic acid. The quantity of protein was measured by the Bradford method using bovine serum albumin BSA protein standards. Proteins of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Desmodium canadense (L.) DC. fresh root material was obtained in seven different vegetation phases. The biggest yield of protein was defined in liquorice root extract, while Canadian tick-trefoil root extract had a significant lower quantity of protein in all vegetation phases. Protein quantity in fractions extracted from liquorice roots material had a tendency to decline till massive blooming phase, from that point the output started to grow. At the end of the vegetation, protein amount has become approximately stable. Protein fractions, extracted from Canadian tick-trefoil roots, had the inclination to fluctuate. The biggest amount of protein was in seed maturity phase.

Background: Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Fabaceae) is a well-known herb that it used in traditional medicine due to pharmacological activities. Licorice in herbal medicine is used as a tonic, expectorant and demulcent factor. This plant has antioxidant, immunostimulant, anti-allergenic and anti-ulcer activities. The aim of present study was to, comparisons of effect of ethanol extracts licorice root with glibenclamide on activity of liver enzymes in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: In the present study, oral administration of licorice extract (50, 200 and 400 mg/kg per body wt.) and glibenclamide (600 µg/kg) were performed as the standard antidiabetic medicine, during 30 days. Then, the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in normal and diabetic rats were evaluated. Data were analyzed by using SPSS-10 software and the ANOVA test was used. Results: Oral administrations of licorice extract significantly decreased activity of AST and ALT in serum of diabetic rats but not in normal rats. The licorice extract as same as glibenclamide significantly decreased activity of liver enzymes. Conclusion: It is concluded that the licorice can be considered as a suitable candidate for future studies on diabetes mellitus.

Context: Increasing incidence and impact of inflammatory diseases have encouraged the search of new pharmacological strategies to face them. Licorice has been used to treat inflammatory diseases since ancient times in China. Objective: To summarize the current knowledge on anti-inflammatory properties and mechanisms of compounds isolated from licorice, to introduce the traditional use, modern clinical trials and officially approved drugs, to evaluate the safety and to obtain new insights for further research of licorice. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct and ResearchGate were information sources for the search terms ‘licorice’, ‘licorice metabolites’, ‘anti-inflammatory’, ‘triterpenoids’, ‘flavonoids’ and their combinations, mainly from year 2010 to 2016 without language restriction. Studies were selected from Science Citation Index journals, in vitro studies with Jadad score less than 2 points and in vivo and clinical studies with experimental flaws were excluded. Results: Two hundred and ninety-five papers were searched and 93 papers were reviewed. Licorice extract, 3 triterpenes and 13 flavonoids exhibit evident anti-inflammatory properties mainly by decreasing TNF, MMPs, PGE2 and free radicals, which also explained its traditional applications in stimulating digestive system functions, eliminating phlegm, relieving coughing, nourishing qi and alleviating pain in TCM. Five hundred and fifty-four drugs containing licorice have been approved by CFDA. The side effect may due to the cortical hormone like action. Conclusion: Licorice and its natural compounds have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activities. More pharmacokinetic studies using different models with different dosages should be carried out, and the maximum tolerated dose is also critical for clinical use of licorice extract and purified compounds.

Aloe vera (Aloe vera L.) contains amino acids, vitamins, folic acid, and liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L) containing glisirizin, and flavonoids, which have properties as fertilizer hair. This study aims to obtain a combination of extracts with activity most optimal fertilizer hair, made 3 combination with a combination of 1 (the water extract of liquorice concentration of 2.5% and 7.5% aloe vera), a combination of 2 (the water extract of liquorice concentrations of 2, 5% and 2.5% aloe vera), and combinations of 3 (the water extract of liquorice concentration of 5% and 7.5% aloe vera). Testing the activity of hair growth is done by measuring the rate of hair growth, hair growth acceleration and weight of rabbit hair for 28 days. Rabbit hair growth results showed the combination 1 has an average length of the largest hair with hair growth rate value of 2.97 cm, accelerated hair growth amounted to 0.15 cm / day on day 7 and weighing 0.13 gram hair.

The severity and frequency of opportunistic fungal infections still growing, concomitantly to the increasing rates of antimicrobial drugs resistance. Natural matrices have been used over years due to its multitude of health benefits, including antifungal potential. Thus, the present work aims to evaluate the anti-Candida potential of the phenolic extract and individual phenolic compounds of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice), by disc diffusion assay, followed by determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) for both planktonic cells and biofilms. Licorice extract evidenced inhibitory potential against the nineteen tested Candida strains, but no pronounced effect was observed by testing the most abundant individual phenolic compounds. Candida tropicalis strains were the most sensible, followed by Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis and, then, Candida albicans. Lower MIC and MFC values were achieved to C. glabrata and C. tropicalis, which confirms its susceptibility to licorice extract; however, for C. tropicalis strains a higher variability was observed. Anti-biofilm potential was also achieved, being most evident in some C. glabrata and C. tropicalis strains. In general, a twice concentration of the MIC was necessary for planktonic cells to obtain a similar potential to that one observed for biofilms. Thus, an upcoming approach for new antifungal agents, more effective and safer than the current ones, is stablished; notwithstanding, further studies are necessary in order to understand its mechanism of action, as also to assess kinetic parameters., The authors are grateful to Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for N. Martins grant (SFRH/BD/87658/2012) and financial support to CIMO (strategic project PEstOE/AGR/UI0690/2014). This work was also supported by the Programa Operacional, Fatores de competitividade – COMPETE and by national funds through FCT on the scope of the projects FCT PTDC/SAU-MIC/119069/2010, RECI/EBB-EBI/0179/2012 and PEstOE/EQB/LA0023/2013. The authors thank the Project “BioHealth - Biotechnology and Bioengineering approaches to improve health quality”, Ref. NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000027, co-funded by thePrograma Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2 – O Novo Norte), QREN, FEDER.

Medicinal plants and their botanical formulations have gained a pivotal attention among scientific researchers mainly due to its action as health promoters. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) constitutes a great example, with an increasingly evidenced antimicrobial potential. Opportunistic yeast infections constitute an alarming public health problem, highly exacerbated by the inefficacy of antifungal drugs and the increase of drug-resistant microorganisms, being Candida species one of the most common invaders. The present work aims to assess Candida glabrata and Candida albicans susceptibility to G. glabra methanol: water extract by using flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy techniques. After 5 minutes, licorice extract (1.5 mg/mL) altered Candida membrane potential. Within an hour, it induced primary damages on Candida species cells, causing cell cytoplasm disorganization with high evidence of cell membrane invaginations, making cells turgid. Thus, based on the current findings, licorice extract seems to be a promising anti-Candida agent, without presenting any toxic potential at the effective concentrations used., The authors are grateful to Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for N. Martins grant (SFRH/BD/87658/2012) and financial support to the research centre CIMO (strategic project PEst-OE/ AGR/UI0690/2014). This work was also supported by the Programa Operacional, Fatores de competitividade – COMPETE and by national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia on the scope of the projects FCT PTDC/SAU-MIC/119069/2010, RECI/EBBEBI/0179/2012 and PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013. The authors thank the Project “BioHealth – Biotechnology and Bioengineering approaches to improve health quality”, Ref. NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000027, cofunded by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2–O Novo Norte), QREN, FEDER., info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Background: The chemopreventive effects of certain phytoconstituents can be exploited for their use as functional foods, dietary supplements and even as drugs. The natural compounds, acting as anti-genotoxic and free radical scavenging compounds, may serve as potent chemopreventive agents. These can inhibit DNA modulatory activities of mutagens and help preventing pathological processes. Objectives: Present study on Glycyrrhiza glabra L., a promising medicinal plant, widely used in traditional medicine, focused on the bioassay-guided fractionation of its extracts for the isolation of certain phytochemicals with anti-genotoxic potential against oxidative mutagens. Materials and Methods: The methanol extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra rhizomes was subjected to column chromatography, and isolated fraction was evaluated for its anti-genotoxic and antioxidant potential using SOS chromotest, Comet assay, and DPPH radical scavenging assay. Results: GLG fraction, which was characterized as Glycyrrhizic acid, inhibited the genotoxicity of oxidative mutagens viz., H 2 O 2 and 4NQOquite efficiently. In SOS chromotest, using E.coli PQ37 tester strain, it inhibited induction factor induced by H 2 O 2 and 4NQO by 75.54% and 71.69% at the concentration of 121.46 μM,respectively. In Comet assay, it reduced the tail moment induced by H 2 O 2 and 4NQO by 70.21% and 69.04%, respectively, at the same concentration in human blood lymphocytes. The isolated fraction also exhibited DPPH free radical scavenging activity and was able to scavenge 85.95% radicals at a concentration of 120 μM. Conclusion: Glycyrrhizic acid is a potential modulator of genotoxins as well as efficient scavenger of free radicals.

Three extracts of different polarities of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. leaves were characterized and evaluated for their antioxidant, anti-genotoxic and anti-inflammatory activity. In total, thirty components have been identified and quantified through the use of liquid chromatography (LC) with ultraviolet-visible diode-array-detector (UV-vis-DAD) and mass spectrometry (MS). The main components belong to the polyphenols family, being flavonoid and dihydrostilbene derivatives. The extracts have been investigated for their antioxidant, anti-genotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities, which are fundamental requirements of efficacious chemo-preventive agents. The ethyl acetate extract proved to be the most valuable, evidently for the conspicuous presence of several polyphenols, namely flavonoids and dihydrostilbenes.

Aloe vera contains lignin, folic acid, vitamin A, and 20 types of amino acids, while Glycyrrhiza glabra L. contains glycyrrhizin, steroids, and beta-glycyrrhetinic acid that benefit for hair health. This research aimed to produce hair tonic with the best activity from the combination of aloe vera and licorice extract. The phytochemicals in the aqueous extract of licorice and Aloe vera were screened. The hair tonic was then prepared with 3 formulas using 7.5% Aloe vera extract and 2.5% licorice extract, as well as 96% ethanol with varying percentages, namely 5, 10, and 15%. Afterward, the formulas were tested for their activity as hair fertilizer on 4 white male rabbits for 28 days. The evaluation of hair tonic preparation included organoleptic observation, pH, specific weight, viscosity, and hedonic tests. It measured hair growth rate, the acceleration of hair growth, and hair weight. The results showed that hair tonic containing a mixture of 7.5% of Aloe vera extract, 2.5% of licorice extract, and 96% ethanol with different percentages (i.e., 5, 10, and 15%) created a good hair fertilizer. Hair tonic prepared with 15% of 96% ethanol exhibited an optimum activity. It was characterized by brown color, distinctive odor, homogeneity, a specific weight of 1.0577 g/mL, a viscosity of 2.8479 cP to distilled water, and pH 5.5. Its effectiveness as hair fertilizer was evidenced by a hair growth rate of 2.6617 cm in 28 days, a hair growth acceleration of 0.1635 cm/day, and a hair weight of 0.1854 gram in 28 days.

Oxidative stress significantly affects the wellbeing and life expectancy of worldwide population. Pollution, smoking, certain drugs, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle and stress-inducing agents are among the most important aggressors that promote the production of free radicals and other reactive species [l]. Moreover, cellular metabolism is also a higher source of free radicals production. Natural plant matrices contain a wide variety of phytochemicals with a multitude of potential health benefits, such as antioxidant activity that might help to neutralize free radicals [2]. Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice) is widely used due to its culinary but also therapeutic effects, namely in respiratory and dermal affections, as well as antiulcer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory or anti-allergic, among others [3]. Several reports have also described its antioxidant potential, related with the phenolic composition, but studies quantifying these phytochemicals are scarce [3]. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential of hydromethanolic extracts (80:20, v/v) of rhizomes and roots of G. glabra, relating that activity with the phenolic composition, determined by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS. Licorice extract evidenced a high capacity to inhibit lipid peroxidation, by using TBARS (EC50=0. 24±0.01 μg/mL) and b-carotene/linoleate (EC50=22.74±2.42 μg/mL) assays. The activity as free radicais scavenger (EC50=111. 54±6.04 μg/mL) and reducing power were also high (EC50=128.63±0.21 μg/mL). The observed antioxidant potential seems to be related with the presence of flavones (mainly apigenin derivatives), flavanones (mainly liquiritin derivatives), an isoflavone and a chalcone. Among the phenolic compounds detected (total amount 17 mg/g), liquiritin apioside isomers were the most abundant (12.28 mg/g). The obtained results pointed to licorice could provide health benefits when included, at recommended dosages, in daily diet. However, further and more detailed studies are necessary aiming at the elucidation of the in vivo antioxidant activity and actual mechanisms of action.

The present work aims to characterize and quantify the phenolic composition and to evaluate the antioxidant activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (commonly known as licorice) rhizomes and roots. The antioxidant potential of its methanol/water extract could be related with flavones (mainly apigenin derivatives), flavanones (mainly liquirintin derivatives), a methylated isoflavone and a chalcone, identified in the extract. Lipid peroxidation inhibition was the most pronounced antioxidant effect (EC50=0.24±0.01 µg/mL and 22.74±2.42 µg/mL in TBARS and -carotene/linoleate assays, respectively), followed by free radicals scavenging activity (EC50=111.54±6.04 µg/mL) and, finally, reducing power (EC50=128.63±0.21 µg/mL). In this sense, licorice extract could be used as a source of antioxidants for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and/or food industries., The authors are grateful to Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for N. Martins grant (SFRH/BD/87658/ 2012), L. Barros researcher contract under “Programa Compromisso com Ciência – 2008” and financial support to the research center CIMO (strategic project PEst-OE/AGR/UI0690/ 2011).

Opportunistic fungal infections, particularly involving Candida species (candidiasis) have become a serious prob- lem of public health. Current antifungal agents have been loosing the effectiveness, in part due to their overuse, and appearance of resistant Candida species. Plants have been used over years and recommended by natural physicians for multitude of health conditions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-Candida potential of a hydrometh- anolic extract of rhizomes and roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice), in planktonic cells and biofilms, as well as to compare its effect with individual phenolic compounds identified in the extract. Licorice extract evidenced an antifungal activity against all of the nineteen tested Candida strains, including C. al- bicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis species. The inhibition zones varied between 10-13 mm; MIC and MFC values varied, between 0.375-1.5 and 0.75-3 mg/mL for planktonic cells and biofilms, respectively. Considering the pronounced antifungal activity, a chemical characterization of the extract was conducted, and the main phenolic compounds identified were tested. Flavones (mainly apigenin derivatives), flavanones (mainly liquiritin derivatives), an isoflavone and a chalcone, were the most abundant compounds. However, these compounds were not active neither individually nor combined. Thus, probably synergistic effects among all components in the phenolic pool and/or other compounds present in the extract should be responsible for the observed antifungal activity. Detailed in vivo studies should be performed, not only to evaluate the actual effects in a complete organism, but also the safety of the preparation and bioavailability in systemic infection models.

The aim of this research was to study the effect of treatment with oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju) on digestibility of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. pulp. Pleurotus sajor-caju was inoculated on sterilized wheat grains. Two weeks after growth at 25 °C it was added to the sterilized Glycyrrhiza glabra L. pulp in nylon bags. After two weeks (at 25 °C), mycelia grew on the pulp and were used for treatment. Digestibility coefficients were measured in 12 Ghezel rams. Dry matter, crude protein (CP) and nitrogen free extract (NFE) increased, but ash content, cell wall (NDF) and lignin (ADL) decreased significantly in fungal-treated as compared with non-treated pulps. Crude fiber (CF) and ADF contents were not significantly affected by the treatment. There was a tendency for crude fat (EE ether extract) to decrease by fungal treatment (p=0.08). Mean dry matter intake and digestibility coefficient of dry matter were higher in sheep which were fed the fungal-treated pulp compared with the control group. Digestibility coefficients of CP, CF, organic matter (OM), EE, NFE, NDF, ADF and ADL were significantly greater in fungal-treated pulp than in control group. Treatment with P. sajor-caju increased the nutritive value and digestibility of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. pulp (P

In the last two decades, an increasing incidence of opportunistic fungal infections has been observed, not only at hospital level but also in the community. Candida albicans was identified as the main responsible agent for those infections, but other non-Candida albicans Candida (NCAC) species have also been associated with this complicated medical condition [1]. Furthermore, higher rates of fungal resistance to the current drugs have been observed and are still growing, making the discovery of new active antifungal substances very urgent. Medicinal plants can be explored for that purpose. Glycyrrhiza glabra L. is commonly used in folk medicine due to its antimicrobial and antiviral activities, as well as for a wide variety of dermal affections [2]. Some reports have described the antimicrobial potential of licorice (G. glabra roots), namely aqueous extracts [e.g., 3]. Herein, the antifungal potential of the hydroalcoholic extract prepared from rhizomes and roots of G. glabra, was evaluated against 19 Candida strains, using the disc diffusion halo assay. The licorice extract was effective against all the tested C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis strains. It is very interesting to highlight the broad spectrum of activity of this extract, for which were observed similar results into different strains of the same species and even between different species. The results for the inhibitory zones, at the tested concentration (50 mg/mL), after 24h, were 1.0 – 1.2 cm for C. albicans and C. parapsilosis, 1.0 – 1.3 cm for C. tropicalis and 1.2 cm for C. glabrata, maintaining the potential at 48h and even at 72h. This study demonstrates that G. glabra hydroalcoholic extract probably exerts mainly fungicidal and not so much fungistatic effects, and it could find applications in antifungal therapy. Nevertheless, further studies will be performed in order to characterize the extract, namely on phenolic composition, and to elucidate its mechanism of action.

Изучена противомикробная активность выделенных в виде фракций биологически активных веществ корня Glycyrrhiza glabra L., произрастающей в Астраханском регионе. Методом высокоэффективной жидкостной хроматографии (ВЭЖХ) получен качественный и количественный состав фракций и экстракта корня Glycyrrhiza glabra L. по содержанию глицирризина и 18β-глицирретовой кислоты., We studied antibacterial activity of extracted biologically active substances in the form of fractions Glycyrrhiza glabra L., cultivated/grown in the Astrakhan region. We used the method of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and obtained qualitative and quantitative compound of glycyrrhizin and 18β- glycyrrhetinic acid in fractions and extracts of root of Glycyrrhiza glabra L.

Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-27T11:30:09Z No. of bitstreams: 0Bitstream added on 2014-05-27T14:37:53Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 2-s2.0-84882586629.pdf: 226525 bytes, checksum: 16cb02a7323c60f72d5df6a751f2895f (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-27T11:30:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-08-15 Background: With the emergence of strains resistant to conventional antibiotics, it is important to carry studies using alternative methods to control these microorganisms causing important infections, such as the use of products of plant origin that has demonstrated effective antimicrobial activity besides biocompatibility. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of plant extracts of Equisetum arvense L., Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Punica granatum L. and Stryphnodendron barbatimam Mart. against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida glabrata, and to analyze the cytotoxicity of these extracts in cultured murine macrophages (RAW 264.7).Methods: Antimicrobial activity of plant extracts was evaluated by microdilution method based on Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), M7-A6 and M27-A2 standards. The cytotoxicity of concentrations that eliminated the microorganisms was evaluated by MTT colorimetric method and by quantification of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) using ELISA.Results: In determining the minimum microbicidal concentration, E. arvense L., P. granatum L., and S. barbatimam Mart. extracts at a concentration of 50 mg/mL and G. glabra L. extract at a concentration of 100 mg/mL, were effective against all microorganisms tested. Regarding cell viability, values were 48% for E. arvense L., 76% for P. granatum L, 86% for S. barbatimam Mart. and 79% for G. glabra L. at the same concentrations. About cytokine production after stimulation with the most effective concentrations of the extracts, there was a significant increase of IL-1β in macrophage cultures treated with S. barbatimam Mart. (3.98 pg/mL) and P. granatum L. (7.72 pg/mL) compared to control (2.20 pg/mL) and a significant decrease of TNF-α was observed in cultures treated with G. glabra L. (4.92 pg/mL), S. barbatimam Mart. (0.85 pg/mL), E. arvense L. (0.83 pg/mL), and P. granatum L. (0.00 pg/mL) when compared to control (41.96 pg/mL).Conclusions: All plant extracts were effective against the microorganisms tested. The G. glabra L. extract exhibited least cytotoxicity and the E. arvense L. extract was the most cytotoxic. © 2013 de Oliveira et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology Institute of Science and Technology Univ Estadual Paulista/UNESP, Av. Engenheiro Francisco Jose Longo 777 - Jardim Sao Dimas, São José dos Campos, SP Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Pharmacology Institute of Science and Technology Univ Estadual Paulista/UNESP, São José dos Campos, SP Department of Restorative Dentistry Institute of Science and Technology Univ Estadual Paulista/UNESP, São José dos Campos, SP Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology Institute of Science and Technology Univ Estadual Paulista/UNESP, Av. Engenheiro Francisco Jose Longo 777 - Jardim Sao Dimas, São José dos Campos, SP Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Pharmacology Institute of Science and Technology Univ Estadual Paulista/UNESP, São José dos Campos, SP Department of Restorative Dentistry Institute of Science and Technology Univ Estadual Paulista/UNESP, São José dos Campos, SP