Ameliorative effects of glycyrrhizin on streptozotocin-induced
diabetes in rats.
Sen S, Roy M, Chakraborti AS.
J Pharm Pharmacol. 2011 Feb;63(2):287-96.
Department of Biophysics, Molecular Biology & Bioinformatics,
University College of Science, University of Calcutta, Acharyya
Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata, India.
Abstract
Objectives
Glycyrrhizin is the main water-soluble constituent of the root of
liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). The study investigates the effect of
glycyrrhizin on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic changes and
associated oxidative stress, including haemoglobin-induced free iron-
mediated oxidative reactions.
Methods
Male Wistar rats were grouped as normal control, STZ-induced diabetic
control, normal treated with glycyrrhizin, diabetic treated with
glycyrrhizin and diabetic treated with a standard anti-hyperglycaemic
drug, glibenclamide. Different parameters were studied in blood and
tissue samples of the rats.
Key findings
Glycyrrhizin treatment improved significantly the diabetogenic effects
of STZ, namely enhanced blood glucose level, glucose intolerant
behaviour, decreased serum insulin level including pancreatic islet
cell numbers, increased glycohaemoglobin level and enhanced levels of
cholesterol and triglyceride. The treatment significantly reduced
diabetes-induced abnormalities of pancreas and kidney tissues.
Oxidative stress parameters, namely, serum superoxide dismutase,
catalase, malondialdehyde and fructosamine in diabetic rats were
reverted to respective normal values after glycyrrhizin
administration. Free iron in haemoglobin, iron-mediated free radical
reactions and carbonyl formation in haemoglobin were pronounced in
diabetes, and were counteracted by glycyrrhizin. Effects of
glycyrrhizin and glibenclamide treatments appeared comparable.
Conclusion
Glycyrrhizin is quite effective against hyperglycaemia,
hyperlipidaemia and associated oxidative stress, and may be a
potential therapeutic agent for diabetes treatment.
© 2011 The Authors. JPP © 2011 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
PMID: 21235594
doi: 10.1111/j.2042-7158.2010.01217.x.