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. 2022 Dec 21;16(1):7.
doi: 10.3390/ph16010007.

Biological Screening of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. from Different Origins for Antidiabetic and Anticancer Activity

Rizwan Ahmad  1 , Aljawharah Alqathama  2 , Mohammed Aldholmi  1 , Muhammad Riaz  3 , Mohammed H Mukhtar  4 , Fatema Aljishi  1 , Ebtihal Althomali  1 , Muntathir Ali Alamer  5 , Mohammed Alsulaiman  6 , Abdulmalik Ayashy  6 , Mohsen Alshowaiki  6
Affiliations

Biological Screening of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. from Different Origins for Antidiabetic and Anticancer Activity

Rizwan Ahmad et al. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). .

Abstract

Background: Geographical variation may affect the phytochemistry as well as the biological activities of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root. Herein, a series of biological activities were performed to evaluate the impact of geographical origin on the biological potential of eight different licorice samples.

Methodology: Cell culture studies were performed for cytotoxicity (MCF7, HCT116, HepG2, and MRC5), glucose uptake assay (HepG2), and glutathione peroxidase activity (HepG2), whereas α-amylase inhibition activity was tested for antidiabetic potential.

Results: The Indian sample was observed to be more cytotoxic against MCF7 (22%) and HCT116 (43%) with an IC50 value of 56.10 (±2.38) μg/mL against the MCF7 cell line. The glucose uptake was seen with a mean value of 96 (±2.82) and a range of 92-101%. For glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx), the Syrian (0.31 ± 0.11) and Pakistani samples (0.21 ± 0.08) revealed a significant activity, whereas the Palestinian (70 ± 0.09) and Indian samples (68±0.06) effectively inhibited the α-amylase activity, with the lowest IC50 value (67.11 ± 0.97) μg/mL for the Palestinian sample. The statistical models of PCA (principal component analysis) and K-mean cluster analysis were performed to correlate the geographical origin, extract yield, and biological activities for the eight licorice samples of different origins.

Conclusion: The licorice samples exhibited significant cytotoxic, GPx, and α-amylase inhibitory activity. The samples with higher extract yield showed more potential in these biological activities.

Keywords: PCA; antidiabetic; glucose uptake; glutathione peroxidase; licorice.

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Conflict of interest statement

No conflict of interest exists among the authors.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Three-dimensional representation of the licorice extract yield and GA amount vs. activities.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Scree plot for the component analysis of Glycyrrhiza glabra activities.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Distribution of data variables in components with expected values.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Data distribution in various K-clusters with values.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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