Ethanolic Extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra to Ameliorate Oxidative Stress – Studies In vitro

Plants are major sources of bioactive organic molecules of interest for the pharmaceutical industry and are being screened for new drugs and chemicals. Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. (Family: Fabaceae) is a very well-known medicinal plant traditionally used as medicine. Its roots and rhizomes are the medicinal parts used and are reported to possess antitumor, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory activities. The ethanolic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra was prepared in the present work, and its phytochemical analysis and HPLC were done. The in vitro antioxidant activity assays such as DPPH radical scavenging assay, Hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, total antioxidant activity assay, and total reducing power assay was done, and the results showed significant antioxidant activity. The extract was analyzed further to evaluate the ability to protect against oxidative stress in chicken liver tissue. The extent of lipid peroxidation and glutathione in H2O2 and/or Glycyrrhiza glabra extract-treated tissue indicated the extract's potential to protect against oxidative stress under in vitro conditions. The in vitro comet assay results showed that the Glycyrrhiza glabra extract protected against H2O2 induced cellular DNA damage. These findings indicated promising antioxidant and antigenotoxic potential of Glycyrrhiza glabra and need further exploration for translating these findings to its possible health benefits.