[ effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice [Glycyrrhiza glabra] rhizome on the mechanical activity of the isolated colon of male rats and its interaction with cholinergic system]

Background: Glycyrrhiza glabra [Licorice] has been traditionally used as a medicinal plant in Iran for treatment of diseases such as gastric ulcer and relieve intestinal spasms

Objective: In the present study, the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice rhizome on mechanical activity of isolated colon of male rats has been studied

Methods: In this experimental study, the colon tissue of 10 adult male rats were dissected and separated into two groups: experimental and control. Each group including ten strips of tissue. The segments were connected to a force transducer longitudinally and inserted to an organ bathe contained oxygenated Tyrode solution [37 [degree]C, pH=7.4]. Their mechanical activity were recorded by power lab AD instrument in basal condition, and after administration of acetylcholine [4x10-6M] and Atropine [10-6M] in the presence and absence of licorice rhizome extract [0.036 mg/ml]. Also, the mechanical activity of control group segments were recorded at the same condition with extract solvent [ethanol %70]

Results: A significant decrease in mechanical activity was found after administration of hydroalcoholic extract of licorice compared with the control group. Also, a significant decrease of mechanical activity was seen in the presence of extract and acetylcholine compared to the control group. While the mechanical activity of tissue didn't significant changed in the presence of Atropine and extract between experimental and control groups

Conclusion: We can conclude that hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice has modifying effect on colon motility, and this activity maybe occurred independent of the cholinergic system

effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice [glycyrrhiza glabra] rhizome on the isolated ileum of male rats and its interaction with nitrergic system

Background: The licorice [Glycyrrhiza glabra] rhizome has been widely used in traditional medicine for treatment of gastrointestinal diseases

Objective: 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

Methods: 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[4]M] 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]

Results: 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

Conclusion: 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

Surveying steroid participation on GABA- related activities

gamma-aminobutyricacid [GABA], a major neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, also acts as a paracrine or autocrine signaling molecule in endocrine tissues such as the pancreatic islets, adenohypophysis, and testis. It has been demonstrated that metabolites of progesterone and corticosterone naturally act via the GABA[A] - membrane receptor and they have sedative-hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, muscle-relaxant and anesthetic drugs properties. Also the brain as a steroidogenic organ contributes to produce these steroids. The aim of this study was to find out the steroids participation on the GABA- related activities. An injection canula was inserted into lateral ventricle of the sham and experimental adult female rats by stereotaxic surgery. One week late, at proesterus day, diazepam [GABA[A]-receptor agonist] with doses of 250 and 500microg/rat, bicuculine [GABA[A]-receptor antagonist] with doses of 1.5 and 3 ng/rat, baclofen [GABA[B] -receptor agonist] with doses of 4.27 and 8.54 microg/rat and CGP35348 [GABA[B] -receptor antagonist] with doses of 3 and 5 micro g/rat were intracerebroventriculary [ICV] injected to the experimental groups, while equal volume [2 micro l] of artificial CSF was injected to the sham operated group. Blood samples were collected thrice at 9 AM, 11 AM and 1PM. The serum progesterone level was determined using RIA method. Data were analyzed by one way ANOVA and Duncans test at p<0.05 for the significant level. The results showed that GABAergic system activity via both GABA[A] and GABA[B] receptors has significantly changed the serum progesterone level Comparing the results of this research with earlier studies, it is concluded that GABAergic system has a close relation with steroidogenesis and the steroids participate in GABA- related activities