The potential protective effect of licorice against age-related changes in the circumvallate papillae of albino rats

Abstract

Licorice extract has been used effectively to treat various diseases, but research on its anti-aging potential, particularly in the gustatory lingual papilla, is limited. Consequently, this study aimed to assess the potential of licorice extract to ameliorate age-related changes in the circumvallate taste papilla of rats. Thirty adult male Albino rats (6 months old) were randomly divided into three groups; Group I (adult control group) was sacrificed immediately, while Group II (aged control group) and Group III (aged licorice-treated group) were sacrificed at the age of 12 months. The circumvallate papillae in each experimental group from the tongue were analyzed histologically and histomorphometrically. The expressions of Ki-67 and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) were examined using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The superoxide dismutase levels (SOD) were determined using a colorimetric SOD activity assay. The circumvallate papillae of group II revealed various structural alterations, and its taste buds appeared shrunken and exhibited an atypical structure. While in group III, the papillae demonstrated better histological features, taste buds displayed cells with distinct boundaries; however, cytoplasmic degradation with irregular nuclei arrangement was evident in a few taste buds. Ki-67, NCAM, and SOD levels were significantly decreased in groups II & III compared to group I. However, group III exhibited a statistically significant increase compared to group II. Thus, it could be concluded that licorice extract might offer great potential as an anti-aging therapeutic compound to preserve function in the gustatory lingual papilla.