The effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra rhizome on motility of rat isolated ileum and its interaction with cholinergic and adrenergic systems

 Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) rhizome has been widely used in traditional medicine for treatment of gastrointestinal disease. In the present study, the effect of a hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice rhizome on mechanical activity of isolated ileum of male rats has been studied.

The hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice rhizome prepared by percolation method. Adult male rats were anesthetized by ethyl ether, their abdomen was opened, the ileum dissected and divided into 1 cm segments. The segments were connected to a force transducer longitudinally and inserted to an organ bath with oxygenated Tyrode’s solution (37°C, pH 7.4). The mechanical activity of ileum was recorded by force isotonic transducer and Power Lab AD instrument in basal condition, and after administration of acetylcholine10-5 M, phenylephrine 2×10-5 M, Isoproterenol 10-4 M and propranolol 10-4 M in the presence and absence of  the extract.

A significant decrease in mechanical activity of the isolated ileum occurred after administration of the extract alone, or the extract along with acetylcholine. However, mechanical activity did not changed when the extract was administered with phenylephrine, with isoproterenol, or with propranolol.

The hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice modulates ileum motility. It seems that the cholinergic system but not the adrenergic system might be involved in this effect.