• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.57-60
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• 2004

Glycyrrhizin (18$\beta$-glycyrrhetinic acid-3-O-$\beta$-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1$\rightarrow2)-\beta$-D-glucuronide, GL) was transformed to 18$\beta$-glycyrrhetinic acid-3-O-$\beta$-D-glucuronide (GAMG) by Streptococcus LJ-22. The antiallergic activities of GL and GAMG was measured using a RBL cell assay system and contact hypersensitivity model mice. GAMG exhibited anti-allergic activity with $IC_{50}$ values of 0.28 mM. GAMG, which is sweeter than GL, and 18$\beta$-glycyrrhetinic acid, which is a GAMG metabolite by human intestinal bacteria, also inhibited the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and skin contact inflammation. In conclusion, GAMG may be useful as a new sweet food additive and an anti-allergic agent.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.86-86
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• 2002

Glycyrrhizin, a triterpenoid saponin fraction of licorice, is reported to have anti-viral and anti-tumor activities and is metabolized to 18$\beta$-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) in the intestine by intestinal bacteria. However, the mechanism underlying its effects is poorly understood.(omitted)

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1998.11a
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• pp.125-125
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• 1998

Glycyrrhizin (18$\beta$-glycyrrhetic acid $\beta$-D-glucuronyl a-D-glucuronic acid, GL), a main component of liquore extract (Glycyrrhiza glabra), is ingested orally as a component in the oriental medicine. By human intestinal bacteria, glycyrrhizin (18$\beta$-glycyrrhetinic acid $\beta$-D-glucuronyl a-D-glucuronic acid, GL) was metabolized to glycyrrhetinic acid (GA): main pathway metabolizing GL to GA by glucuronidases of Bacteroides J-37 (Kim et al., 1997) and Eubacterium sp strain GLH (Akao et al., 1987) and minor pathway metabolizing GL to GA via 18$\beta$-glycyrrhetic acid D-glucuronic acid (GAMG) by $\beta$-glucuronidase of Streptococcus LJ-22 and glucuronidases of Bacteroides J-37 / E. coli. $\beta$-Glucuronidase from Streptococcus LJ-22 hydrolyzed GL to GAMG, not GA. $\beta$-Glucuronidase of Streptococcus LJ-22 hydrolyzed $\beta$-glucuronic acid conjugates of polysaccharides rather than aglycone-$\beta$-glucuronides Optimal pH of Streptococcus LJ-22 $\beta$-glucuronidase was 5-6 and its molecular weight was 250 kDaltons. Km for GL was 0.37mM.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.494-499
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• 2008

The role of antibody in the fungal infections is controversial. However, our previous reports showed a certain epitope in Candida albicans cell wall (CACW) induces protective antibody. A major problem is that the epitope isolation requires tremendous time with high cost. This aspect led us to investigate a simple way inducing protective antibodies against C. albicans. In the present study, we determined if $18{\beta}$-glycyrrhetinic acid ($18{\beta}$-GA) from Glabrae Radix (a family of Leguminosae) has immunoadjuvant activity. Data displayed that the $18{\beta}$-GA suppressed proliferations of both T- and Blymphocytes at high concentrations, whereas below 20 ${\mu}M$ concentration the compound supported the proliferations. These observations indicate that $18{\beta}$-GA has immunoregulatory activity. Based on this observation, an immunoadjuvant effect was examined at the low concentration. Results from animal experiments showed that CACW combined with or without $18{\beta}$-GA produced the anti-C. albicans antiserum in mice. Nevertheless, the CACW combined with $18{\beta}$-GA formula only protected mice against disseminated candidiasis (P<0.05). These data implicate that $18{\beta}$-GA has immunoadjuvant activity, which may provoke the CACW antigen to induce protective antibody. Currently, we are investigating possible mechanism of how the $18{\beta}$-GA provokes such protective immunity against the disseminated disease.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.164-169
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• 2015

In the present study, we determined the effect of $18{\beta}$-glycyrrhetinic acid ($18{\beta}$-GA) in the mice model bearing xenografts of HT-29 human colon cancer cell line. Data from the cytotoxicity assay displayed that $18{\beta}$-GA induced cell death in HT-29. The cytotoxicity was enhanced as the $18{\beta}$-GA treatment was prolonged. In case of 72 hrs treatment, $LD_{50}$ of $18{\beta}$-GA was approximately $90{\mu}M$, and the efficacy at $100{\mu}M$ of $18{\beta}$-GA appeared to be equivalent to that of doxorubicin at $1{\mu}M$. Based on the in vitro data, we tested the anti-tumor effect of $18{\beta}$-GA in thymic mice (Balb/c strain). Xenograft tumors were generated by subcutaneous injection of HT-29 ($3{\times}10^6cells/mouse$) to mice and the mice were treated intraperitoneally with $18{\beta}$-GA ($50{\mu}g/time/mouse$) every other day for 4 times. The tumor volumes were measured for a period of 14 days. Data displayed that the $18{\beta}$-GA treatment reduced the tumor volumes (P < 0.05) as compared to control mice. However, this activity was demolished when athymic mice (Balb/c nu/nu) were used instead of thymic mice. This observation appeared that T lymphocyte played an important role in the anti-tumor activity. In conclusion, our results indicate that $18{\beta}$-GA has anti-tumor activity in HT-29 tumor-bearing mice, which may be associated with T cells.

• Proceedings of the Korea Environmental Mutagen Society Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.86-86
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• 2002

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.476-481
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• 2007

A polymorphic fungus, Candida albicans, causes various forms of infections such as disseminated candidiasis and vaginitis. Recent reports indicate that the fungus is a main etiological agent for the arthritis. In search of new sources for treatment of the fungal arthritis, we examined $18{\beta}$-glycyrrhetinic acid ($18{\beta}$-GA) against C. albicans-caused septic arthritis. The compound is isolated from Glycyrrhizae Radix that is known to have various immunomodulating activities and is one of the most popular herbal medicines. For induction of animal model of a septic arthritis, mice were given an emulsion form of C. albicans cell wall mixed with Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) via footpad-injection. To determine prophylactic and therapeutic effects, the component was given to the animals before or after the induction of the arthritis, respectively. Data showed that intraperitoneal administration of $18{\beta}$-GA resulted in reduction of the inflammation, indicating the component had both prophylactic and therapeutic activities. For investigation of mechanism of the $18{\beta}$-GA, inhibitory effects on NO (nitiric oxide) and on T-lymphocyte proliferation were determined. Results demonstrated that $18{\beta}$-GA suppressed NO production from LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-treated macrophages and also inhibited proliferation of Con A (concanavalin A)activated T-cells. Taken together, $18{\beta}$-GA, a pentacyclic triterpene, has anti-arthritic activity against C. albicans-caused septic arthritis, possibly by blocking NO production and T-cell suppression.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2008

The present study examined the inhibitory effect of licorice compounds glycyrrhizin and a metabolite $18{\beta}$-glycyrrhetinic acid on the neurotoxicity of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in the mouse and on the 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ($MPP^+$)-induced cell death in differentiated PC12 cells. MPTP treatment increased the activities of total superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase and the levels of malondialdehyde and carbonyls in the brain compared to control mouse brain. Co-administration of glycyrrhizin (16.8 mg/kg) attenuated the MPTP effect on the enzyme activities and formation of tissue peroxidation products. In vitro assay, licorice compounds attenuated the $MPP^+$-induced cell death and caspase-3 activation in PC12 cells. Glycyrrhizin up to $100{\mu}M$ significantly attenuated the toxicity of $MPP^+$. Meanwhile, $18{\beta}$-glycyrrhetinic acid showed a maximum inhibitory effect at $10{\mu}M$; beyond this concentration the inhibitory effect declined. Glycyrrhizin and $18{\beta}$-glycyrrhetinic acid attenuated the hydrogen peroxide- or nitrogen species-induced cell death. Results from this study indicate that glycyrrhizin may attenuate brain tissue damage in mice treated with MPTP through inhibitory effect on oxidative tissue damage. Glycyrrhizin and $18{\beta}$-glycyrrhetinic acid may reduce the $MPP^+$ toxicity in PC12 cells by suppressing caspase-3 activation. The effect seems to be ascribed to the antioxidant effect.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.292-296
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• 1996

By human intestinal bacteria, glycyrrhizin (18${\beta}$-glycyrrhetic acid ${beta}$-D-glucuronyl.${\alpha}$-D-glucuronic acid, GL) and baicalin (baicalein ${\beta}$-D-glucuronic acid) were metabolized to glycyrrhetinic acid and baicalin, respectively. However, .${\alpha}$-glucuronidase of Bacteroides JY-6 isolated from human intestinal bacteria hydrolyzed GL or 18.${\beta}$-glycyrrhetinic acid ..${\alpha}$-D-glucuronic acid to 18${\beta}$-glycyrrhetic acid but did not baicalin. However, E. coli ${\beta}$-glucironidase from human intestinal bacteria hydrolyzed baicalin to baicalein, but did not GL.${\beta}$-Glucuronidase of mammalian tissues hydrolyzed both GL and baicalin.

• 한국약용작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.09a
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• pp.310-311
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• 2011