Utilization of the Ability to Induce Activation of the Nuclear Factor (Erythroid-derived 2)-like Factor 2 (Nrf2) to Assess Potential Cancer Chemopreventive Activity of Liquorice Samples.

INTRODUCTION: Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that regulates expression of many detoxification enzymes. Nrf2-antioxidant responsive element (Nrf2-ARE) signalling pathway can be a target for cancer chemoprevention. Glycyrrhiza glabra, common name, 'liquorice', is used as a sweetening and flavouring agent, and traditionally, to treat various ailments, and implicated to chemoprevention. However, its chemopreventive property has not yet been scientifically substantiated. OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of liquorice root samples to induce Nrf2 activation correlating to their potential chemopreventive property. METHODS: The ability of nine methanolic extracts of liquorice root samples, collected from various geographical origins, to induce Nrf2 activation was determined by the luciferase reporter assay using the ARE-reporter cell line, AREc32. The antioxidant properties were determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) and the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. RESULTS: All extracts exhibited free-radical-scavenging property (RC50 = 136.39-635.66 µg/mL). The reducing capacity of ferrous ion was 214.46-465.59 µM Fe(II)/g. Nrf2 activation indicated that all extracts induced expression of ARE-driven luciferase activity with a maximum induction of 2.3 fold relative to control. These activities varied for samples from one geographical location to another. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings add to the existing knowledge of cancer chemoprevention by plant-derived extracts or purified phytochemicals, particularly the potential use of liquorice for this purpose. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Comparative Cytotoxicity of Glycyrrhiza glabra Roots from Different Geographical Origins Against Immortal Human Keratinocyte (HaCaT), Lung Adenocarcinoma (A549) and Liver Carcinoma (HepG2) Cells.

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae), commonly known as 'liquorice', is a well-known medicinal plant. Roots of this plant have long been used as a sweetening and flavouring agent in food and pharmaceutical products, and also as a traditional remedy for cough, upper and lower respiratory ailments, kidney stones, hepatitis C, skin disorder, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, gastrointestinal ulcers and stomach ache. Previous pharmacological and clinical studies have revealed its antitussive, antiinflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective and cardioprotective properties. While glycyrrhizin, a sweet-tasting triterpene saponin, is the principal bioactive compound, several bioactive flavonoids and isoflavonoids are also present in the roots of this plant. In the present study, the cytotoxicity of the methanol extracts of nine samples of the roots of G. glabra, collected from various geographical origins, was assessed against immortal human keratinocyte (HaCaT), lung adenocarcinoma (A549) and liver carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines using the in vitro 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazoliumbromide cell toxicity/viability assay. Considerable variations in levels of cytotoxicity were observed among various samples of G. glabra.

A simple semi-preparative reversed-phase HPLC/PDA method for separation and quantification of glycyrrhizin in nine samples of Glycyrrhiza glabra root collected from different geographical origins.

INTRODUCTION: Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae), commonly known as 'liquorice', is one of the most popular ingredients in several traditional herbal medicinal preparations, and glycyrrhizin is the major glycoside present in this plant. The content of glycyrrhizin may vary among G. glabra samples collected from various geographical origins, which may affect the therapeutic efficacy. Thus, quantification of glycyrrhizin in G. glabra samples is important. OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a simple semi-preparative reversed-phase HPLC with photodiode array (PDA) method for separation and quantification of glycyrrhizin in nine samples of G. glabra root collected from various geographical origins. METHODS: Dried and ground root of G. glabra was Soxhlet-extracted sequentially with n-hexane and methanol (MeOH). The separation and quantification of glycyrrhizin was achieved on a C18 reversed-phase semi-preparative column using a gradient mobile phase, 30-100% solvent B in solvent A in 30 min (solvent A: 0.1% v/v trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in water and solvent B: 0.1% v/v of TFA in MeOH), at a flow rate of 3.00 mL/min and UV detection at 254 nm. RESULTS: A simple semi-preparative reversed-phase HPLC/PDA method allowing clear separation and quantification of glycyrrhizin content in nine samples has been validated in terms of linearity, selectivity, limits of detection, precision, accuracy and detection. Concentration levels of glycyrrhizin were between 0.177 and 0.688% w/w of dry materials. CONCLUSION: This method is precise, less time consuming and more cost effective, and can be used for the quality control of any G. glabra sample with regard to its glycyrrhizin contents.

In-vitro neuroprotective properties of the Maydis stigma extracts from four corn varieties.

Neuroprotective effect of the ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of the silks of four Zea mays L. varieties (var. intendata, var. indurata, var. everta and var. saccharata) was evaluated by acetylcholinesterase, butrylcholinesterase and tyrosinase inhibitions and by antioxidant activity tests against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and superoxide as well as two iron-related antioxidant methods (iron-chelation capacity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power). Total phenol and flavonoid contents in the extracts were determined spectrophotometrically.

Antioxidant and anticholinesterase effects of frequently consumed cereal grains using in vitro test models.

The ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts obtained from eight varieties (Faikbey, Y-1779, CI-8357, Cheokota, Seydisehir, Y-330, Sivas and YVD-18) of oat (Avena sativa L.), one variety (Larende) of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), one variety (Tatlicak 97) of triticale (Triticale sp.) and one rye variety (Aslim 95) (Secale cereale L.) were investigated for their antioxidant effects in seven test systems. Anticholinesterase activity of the extracts was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) microplate reader. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were calculated using Folin Ciocalteau and AlCl3 reagents, respectively. All of the extracts were ineffective in cholinesterase inhibition assays and had weak-to-moderate activity in antioxidant assays. The extracts exerted better activity in iron-chelation capacity ranging between 43.17 ± 2.04 and 62.97 ± 1.29%. Triticale extracts showed higher activity in reducing power experiments. A notable difference in the results of the antioxidant activity assays was observed among the oat varieties.