The effect of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) extract on catalase activity in mice brain and liver

Introduction. Glycyrrhiza glabra L., is a member of the Fabaceae family and one of the most valuable plants in the world for commerce. The chemical composition of G. glabra is glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetic acid, isoliquiritin, isoflavones, etc., and their derivatives have been reported for several pharmacological activities like antiulcer, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antioxidant [1]. Materials and methods. The study was performed on 6-week-old BALB/c mice (n=32). The AlCl3 solution was used to induce oxidative stress. Catalase activity (CAT) in the brain and liver of mice were determined spectrophotometrically after 21 days of administration of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. extract. Results and their discussion. The results showed that aluminium statistically significant increased CAT activity in mice liver by 23.34% and in brain by 68.69%, compared to control group (36.25 ± 2.37 U/mg protein and 65.30 ± 5,95 U/mg protein respectively, p ≤ 0,05). Glycyrrhiza glabra L. extract after aluminium exposure increased CAT activity in liver by 10.68% and in brain by 15.32% compared to control group, but these results were not statistically significant (32.53 ± 1.81 U/mg protein and 44.64 ± 3.84 U/mg protein, p > 0,05). Compared to aluminium-treated group, Glycyrrhiza glabra L. extract statistically insignificant (p > 0,05) reduced CAT activity in both the liver by 10.26% and in brain by 31.64% after aluminium exposure. These results showed that the administration of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. extract did not show any statistically significant decrease in CAT activity in the liver and brain after aluminium exposure.