Antiulcer Properties of Glycyrrhiza Glabra L. Extract on Experimental Models of Gastric Ulcer in Mice

Abstract

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. is used in folk medicine for treatment of stomach disorders includingpeptic ulcers. The hydroalcoholic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (HEGG) was evaluated forantiulcerogenic activity and acute toxicity profile in mice. Various doses of HEGG (50-200mg/kg) were administered orally to animals of different groups. Omeprazole and cimetidine atdoses of 30 and 100 mg/kg were used as positive controls, respectively. Stomach was openedalong the greater curvature then ulceration index was determined examining the inner liningof stomach.Oral administration of the extract at 1600 mg/kg did not produce toxic symptoms andmortality in mice. 2950 mg/kg was determined as the oral LD50. The HEGG (50–200 mg/kg)showed a significant reduction in ulcer index in HCl/Ethanol-induced ulcer. G. glabra extract(50-150 mg/kg) showed antiulcer activity against indomethacin-induced gastric lesions dosedependently. The extract effectively inhibited formation of gastric lesions induced by ethanol.The extract (200 mg/kg) was more potent than omeprazole (30 mg/kg). HEGG reduced theulcer index in hypothermic stress induced gastric ulcers in mice and the antiulcer effect wascomparable to that of cimetidine.The results indicated that G. glabra hydroalcoholic extract exerted an antiulcergenic effectthat could be associated with increase in gastric mucosal defensive factors.