R. C. Agrawal

Evaluation of Anticlastogenic effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract against Cyclophosphamide induced Chromosomal aberration in Swiss albino Mice

Background: Indian subcontinent is a vast repository of medicinal plants that are used in traditional medical treatments. Various indigenous systems such as Siddha, Ayurveda, Unani and Allopathy use several plant species to treat different ailments. Ayurveda includes diet and herbal remedies, while emphasizing the body, mind and spirit in disease prevention and treatment. Since origin of human’s life, medicinal plants continue to play a curative and therapeutic role in preserving human health against disease. Herbal plants have been a rich source of medicines because they produce a host of bioactive molecules, most of which probably evolved as chemical defenses against predation or infection. Objective: The study was aimed towards evaluation of Immuno-enhancing potential of hydromethanolic root extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra through the prevention of Mutagenecity caused by Clastogenic or Chemotherapeutic agents in bone marrow cells of Swiss albino mice. Methods: For the assessment of Anti-clastogenic efficacy of G. glabra hydromethanolic root extract, the Bone marrow Chromosomal aberration assay was used and the single i.p. of G. glabra extract given at the doses of 300, 450 and 600mg/kg body weight, 24 hours prior the administration of Cyclophosphamide at the dose of 50 mg/kg body wt. Results: The present investigation revealed that, the doses of 450 and 600mg/kg body wt. provided significant protection against Cyclophosphamide induced Chromosomal aberration in the bone marrow cells of Swiss albino mice. A dose dependent inhibition was observed which was statistically significant (p<0.05) when compared to Cyclophosphamide group. It was observed that G. glabra root extract alone has not induced any Chromosomal aberration. Conclusion: Thus in Mutagenecity assay, G. glabra root extract possess protective potential against Cyclophosphamide induced Mutagenecity in mouse Bone marrow cells. It may be concluded that this herbal extract have Anti-clastogenic agents which showed Anti-mutagenic nature.

Glycyrrhiza Glabra: Chemistry and Pharmacological Activity

Nature is an attractive source of new therapeutic candidate compounds as a tremendous chemical diversity is found in millions of species of plants, animals, marine organisms, andmicroorganisms as potential medicinal agents. This chapter of research is an effort to highlight the phytochemical/chemical constituents of an ancient medicinal plant G. glabra and their pharmacological importance. G. glabra is an old age medicinal plant that belongs to Leguminosae/Fabaceae/ Papilionaceae family and commonly known as mulaithi in north India. The chemical composition ofG. glabra is glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetic acid, isoliquiritin, isoflavones, etc., and their derivatives have been reported for several pharmacological activities like, expectorant, antidemulcent, antiulcer, anticancer, antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, etc. These phytochemicals hold strong promise for designing new herbal drugs, and derivatives of these compounds are being generated to evaluate their pharmacological purposes for future drug use. Natural products have been a prime source for the treatment of many forms of ailments, many of which are consumed daily with the diet. They provide significant protection against various diseases and disorders.