Evaluation of the Immunity Activity of Glycyrrhizin in AR Mice

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated effect of glycyrrhizin on immunity function in allergic rhinitis (AR) mice. The AR mice model were induced by dripping ovalbumin in physiological saline (2 mg mL−1, 10 μL) into the bilateral nasal cavities using a micropipette. After the AR model was induced, mice were randomly divided into six groups: the normal control, model, lycopene 20 mg kg−1 (as positive control drug) group, and glycyrrhizin 10, 20, 30 mg kg−1 groups. After the sensitization day 14, lycopene (20 mg/kg BW) and glycyrrhizin (10, 20 and 30 mg/kg BW) were given orally for 20 days once a day. Mice in the normal control and model groups were given saline orally once a day for 20 days. Results showed that glycyrrhizin treatment could dose-dependently significantly reduce blood immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-5 (IL-5), interleukin-6 (IL-6), nitrous oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels and nitrous oxide synthase (NOS) activity and enhance blood immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) levels in AR mice. Furthermore, glycyrrhizin treatment could dose-dependently significantly enhance acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity and reduce substance P (SP) level in peripheral blood and nasal mucosa of AR mice. We conclude that glycyrrhizin can improve immunity function in AR mice, suggesting a potential drug for the prevention and therapy of AR.

Herbal Products: Benefits, Limits, and Applications in Chronic Liver Disease

“…Many studies shown that GL attenuated inflammatory responses due to decreased activation of nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways [87], moreover, inhibited the production of LPSinduced nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), prostaglandin E2, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), proinflammatory interleukins as IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-18, IL-1β [88][89][90][91][92], and increased the production of anti-infiammatory interleukins as IL-12 and IL-10 [92].…”

Phenotypic and functional maturation of murine dendritic cells induced by 18 alpha- and beta-glycyrrhetinic acid

“…In previous study by Abe et al up-regulation of IL-10 secretion by liver DCs in mice treated with GL has been reported 38 . We in our previous study on murine splenic DCs, and Hua and colleagues in their study on DC2.4 cell line have shown a similar effect for GL in enhancing IL-10 production 29 . There are some evidences that during Th1 responses, these cells can secrete IL-10 that in a regulatory-feedback loop will limit Th1 responses 39 .…”

“…Recent studies suggest that GL is able to attenuate inflammatory responses mediated by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 28 . GL treatment could reduce blood interleukin IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and TNF-a levels and nitrous oxide synthase activity in allergic rhinitis mice 29 .…”

Anti-allergic effects of So-Cheong-Ryong-Tang in ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis model

“…However, pinellic acid alone was not sufficient to induce all the anti-allergic activities of SCRT, and some other active constituents seem to play a combinatorial role in the medicine [15]. Other ingredients such as paeoniflorin [23], a-asarone [24], Schizan [15], drin [25], 6-gingerol [26] and glycyrrhizic acid [27,28] have also been suggested to contribute to a protection against allergy. The present study demonstrated that SCRT is effective to treat AR in a mouse model.…”