RESUMO
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