Physiological Influence of Licorice Extract on Some Hormonal and Biochemical Parameters Alterations Induced by Glucocorticoid in Male Rats

The current study investigates the influence of licorice extract versus adrenal incapability induced by glucocorticoids in male rats. Forty male rats were sectioned randomly into 4 groups. The first was negative control group (G1): normal saline was given orally to rats. The second was positive control group (G2): intra peritoneal treatment with Hydrocortisone Sodium (50 mg/kg) for seven days. The third was therapeutic group (G3): intra peritoneal treatment with Hydrocortisone Sodium (50 mg/kg) for seven days and then licorice extract (100 mg /kg) given orally for 14 days. The fourth was licorice extract Group (G 4): Rats were given 100 mg/kg of licorice extract orally for 21 days. At the end of the experiment, hormonal measurement; adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), serum cortisol, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA), 11 β -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme (11β-HSD), in addition to serum sodium and potassium were measured. The results demonstrated treatment with licorice extract improved significantly (P<0.05) in ACTH, CRH and serum cortisol hormones with non-significant reduction in serum MDA level in the therapeutic group compared with the positive control group. Our results concluded that licorice extract improves the alteration induced by hydrocortisone hormones and reduces the free radicals.