The Effect of Hydro-alcoholic Extract of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Rhizome on the Isolated Ileum of Male Rats and its Interaction with Nitrergic System

The licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) rhizome has been widely used in traditional medicine for treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.
In the present study, the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice rhizome on mechanical activity of isolated ileum of male rats has been studied.
Seven adult male rats were anesthetized by ethyl ether, their abdomen opened, and ileum dissected and divided into 1 cm segments. The segments were connected to a force transducer longitudinally and inserted to an organ bathe contained oxygenated Tyrode solution (37 °C, pH=7.4). Their mechanical activity of ileum was recorded by power lab AD instrument in basal condition, and after administration of L-NAME (10-4M) drug in the presence and absence of licorice rhizome extract (0.0175 mg/ml). Also the mechanical activity of control group segments were recorded at the same condition with extract solvent (ethanol %70).
A significant decrease in mechanical activity of the isolated ileum occurred after administration of hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice compared to the control group, while the mechanical activity of ileum tissue not significantly changed in the coadministration of L-NAME and extract between experimental and control groups.
We can conclude that hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice has modifying effect on ileum motility, and this activity may be occurred independently to the nitrergic system.