高迁移率族蛋白B1抑制剂对白蛋白结合型紫杉醇致神经病理性疼痛的抑制作用及其机制

目的探讨高迁移率族蛋白B1(HMGB1)抑制剂Glycyrrhizin(Gly)对白蛋白结合型紫杉醇导致的神经病理性疼痛的抑制作用及其机制。方法雄性SD大鼠共54只,分为对照组、紫杉醇组、紫杉醇+Gly组,每组18只。紫杉醇组大鼠实验第1,3,5,7天腹腔注射白蛋白结合型紫杉醇(2.47 mg/kg)建立神经病理性疼痛模型,紫杉醇+Gly组在注射白蛋白结合型紫杉醇(2.47 mg/kg)后,第1~7天每日腹腔注射Glycyrrhizin(50 mg/kg),两种药物间隔30 min。对照组给予等剂量生理盐水。实验第4,8天检测大鼠的机械刺激缩足反射阈值(MWT)和热刺激缩足反射潜伏期(TWL)。所有大鼠实验第8天处死,取L_(4-6)脊髓,免疫组化染色检测HMGB1、细胞骨架蛋白[神经微丝蛋白轻链(NF-L)、神经微丝蛋白中链(NF-M)]、胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)及离子钙接头蛋白抗体(Iba-1)的表达变化,Western blot检测Toll样受体4(TLR4)及核因子κB(NF-κB)的表达变化,ELISA检测TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6的水平。结果与对照组相比,紫杉醇组MWT、TWL均降低,提示神经病理性疼痛模型构建成功;与紫杉醇组相比,紫杉醇+Gly组MWT、TWL均升高(P<0.05)。紫杉醇组大鼠L_(4-6)脊髓组织中HMGB1、NF-L、NF-M、GFAP、Iba-1、TLR4、NF-κB、TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6的表达水平均高于对照组(均P<0.05),而紫杉醇+Gly组以上指标的表达均低于紫杉醇组(均P<0.05)。结论HMGB1抑制剂Glycyrrhizin可通过抑制TLR4/NF-κB通路,减少炎性因子TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6的释放,减轻细胞骨架结构紊乱,进而缓解白蛋白结合型紫杉醇导致的神经病理性疼痛。

甘草皂苷对单纯疱疹病毒性脑炎小鼠高迁移率族蛋白B1和Toll样受体水平的影响

目的探讨甘草皂苷(Glycyrrhizin)对单纯疱疹病毒(HSV)性脑炎小鼠的治疗作用。方法采用颅内接种HSV-1病毒法建立HSV性脑炎(HSE)小鼠模型,分为假手术组、溶剂组和Glycyrrhizin组,观察Glycyrrhizin对小鼠死亡率的影响,Western印迹技术检测高迁移率族蛋白(HMG)B1和下游Toll样受体(TLR)4含量。结果与假手术组相比,溶剂组死亡率明显增加,HMGB1和TLR4含量明显升高(P<0.05);与溶剂组相比,Glycyrrhizin组死亡率明显降低,HMGB1和TLR4表达量显著降低(P<0.05)。结论 Glycyrrhizin可以通过抑制HMGB1和TLR4的表达而减少HSE小鼠死亡率。

Topical application of glycyrrhizin preparation ameliorates experimentally induced colitis in rats

AIM:To examine the efficacy of glycyrrhizin preparation(GL-p) in the treatment of a rat model of ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS:Experimental colitis was induced by oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate.Rats with colitis were intrarectally administered GL-p or saline.The extent of colitis was evaluated based on body weight gain,colon wet weight,and macroscopic damage score.The expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the inflamed mucosa were measured by cytokine antibody array analysis.The effect of GL-p on myeloperoxidase(MPO) activity in the inflamed mucosa and purified enzyme was assayed.RESULTS:GL-p treatment significantly ameliorated the extent of colitis compared to sham treatment with saline.Cytokine antibody array analysis showed that GL-p treatment significantly decreased the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines,including interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-α,cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-2,and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in the inflamed mucosa.Furthermore,GL-p inhibited the oxidative activity of mucosal and purified MPO.CONCLUSION:GL-p enema has a therapeutic effect on experimental colitis in rats and may be useful in the treatment of UC.

Glycyrrhizin attenuates HMGB1-induced hepatocyte apoptosis by inhibiting the p38-dependent mitochondrial pathway

AIM： To examine how High-mobility group box I （HMGB1） regulates hepatocyte apoptosis and, furthermore, to determine whether glycyrrhizin （GL）, a known HMGB1 inhibitor, prevents HMGBl-induced hepatocyte apoptosis.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate in a rat model of ulcerative colitis

AIM： To explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate in a rat model of ulcerative colitis induced by acetic acid. METHODS： Spragur-Dawley female rats were divided into four groups： Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate group, dexamethasone group, acetic acid control and normal control group. Colonic inflammation was evaluated by disease activity index, gross morphologic damage, histological injury and colonic myeloperoxidase activity. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of NF-κB, TNF-α and ICAM-1 in colonic mucosa. RESULTS： Compared to the acetic acid control, both Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate and dexamethasone showed a significant anti-inflammatory effect （P 〈 0.01）. The expression of NF-κB, TNF-α and ICAM-1 in colonic mucosa was significantly lower in the Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate group and dexamethasone group than in the acetic acid group. CONCLUSION： Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate could reduce inflammatory injury in a rat model of ulcerative colitis. This may occur via suppression of NF-κB, TNF-αand ICAM-1 in colonic mucosa.

Effects of Dietary β-Glucan and Glycyrrhizin on Non-Specific Immunity and Disease Resistance of the Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus Selenka) Challenged with Vibrio splendidus

Sea cucumbers, Apostichopus japonicus Selenka, were fed diets containing non-immunostimulant (basal diet), 0.2% β-glucan and 0.02% glycyrrhizin in a recirculatory water system for 45 days, and subsequently challenged with Vibrio splendidus by injection at 1.0×108 cfu/sea cucumber for 15 days.Phagocytic capacity (PC), intracellular superoxide anion production (ISAP), ly-sozyme (LSZ) activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the coelomic fluid were analyzed on the 0th, 5th, 10th and 15th days after injection.Results showed that after the 45-day feeding period, PC, ISAP, LSZ activity and SOD activity in sea cucumbers fed with dietary β-glucan or glycyrrhizin were significantly higher than in those fed with the basal diet.On the 5th day after infection, all the immune parameters examined in the sea cucumbers injected with V.splendidus decreased in value significantly.On the 15th day, PC, ISAP and LSZ activity returned to levels similar to those on the 0th day.For the sea cucumbers injected with saline, there were no significant differences in all the immune parameters examined and in the cumulative morbidity during the 15-day challenging trial.After injecting with V.splendidus, the cumulative morbidity of sea cucumbers fed with the basal diet was significantly higher than those fed with dietary β-glucan or glycyrrhizin when challenged with V.splendidus challenged sea cucumber fed with the basal diet was significantly higher than those fed with dietary β-glucan or glycyrrhizin.There was no significant difference in cumulative morbidity between the dietary β-glucan and glycyrrhizin treatments over time.

Effect of alprostadil combined with Diammonium glycyrrhizinate on renal interstitial fibrosis in SD rats

Objective:To observe effect of alprostadil combined with Diammonium glycyrrhizinate on renal interstitial fibrosis in SD rate.Methods:A total of 75 SD rate were randomly divided into A,B,C,D,E groups with 15 in each group.Rats in group A served as the control group received just only but tissue separation without modeling operation,while model of unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO) was established in B,C,D,E groups.Rats in A,B group were given saline lavage placebo treatment,while rats in C,D,E groups were given dianunonium glycyrrhizinate and alprostadil injection.Five rats were sacrificed 1,2,3 weeks after modeling,serum creatinine level of femoral venous blood was determined.Transforming growth factor- β1(TCF- β1) and concentration of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF) were also detected by using ELISA.Line renal interstitial tissue was taken after HE staining,renal interstitial TGF- β1 and CTGF expression were detected by using immunohistochemical method.Results:Serum creatinine levels of B,C,D,E group at different time points in were significantly higher than that of group A(P<0.05);serum creatinine levels in group B were significantly higher than that of C,D,E group at each time point(P<0.05).Serum creatinine level of Croup E was significantly lower than C,D group after 2,3 weeks(P<0.05).Rate in A group at each time point showed no significant changes in TGF- β1 and CREA concentration in serum and kidney tissues(P>0.05);while serum and kidney tissue TGF- β1,concentration of CREA.expression of rats in B,C,D,E groups showed a gradual increasing trend over time.TCF- β1 and CREF of Group B in serum and kidney tissues at each time point were significantly higher than that of the other groups(P<0.05).TCF- β1 and CREF of Group E in serum and kidney tissues at each time point were significantly lower than that of B,C,D group at all time points in serum and kidney tissues(P<0.05).Conclusions:Alprostadil combined with diammonium glycyrrhizinate can significantly lower the expression of TGF- β1 and CTGF in serum and tissues of SD rat with renal interstitial fibrosis,thus inhibit rat renal interstitial fibrosis process.It has synergy protective effect.

Glycyrrhizinate reduces portal hypertension in isolated perfused rat livers with chronic hepatitis

AIM:To investigate the effects of diammonium glycyrrhizinate(Gly)on portal hypertension(PHT)in isolated portal perfused rat liver(IPPRL)with carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)-induced chronic hepatitis.METHODS:PHT model was replicated with CCl4 in rats for 84 d.Model was identified by measuring the ascetic amounts,hepatic function,portal pressure in vivo,splenic index,and pathological alterations.Inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)in liver was assessed by immunohistochemistry.IPPRLs were performed at d0,d28,d56,and d84.After phenylephrine-induced constriction,Gly was geometrically used to reduce PHT.Gly action was expressed as median effective concentration(EC50)and area under the curve(AUC).Underlying mechanism was exploited by linear correlation between AUC values of Gly and existed iNOS in portal triads.RESULTS:PHT model was confirmed with ascites,splenomegaly,serum biomarkers of hepatic injury,and elevated portal pressure.Pathological findings had shown normal hepatic structure at d0,degenerations at d28,fibrosis at d56,cirrhosis at d84in PHT rats.Pseudo lobule ratios decreased and collagen ratios increased progressively along with PHT development.Gly does dose-dependently reduce PHT in IPPRLs with CCl4-induced chronic hepatitis.Gly potencies were increased gradually along with PHT development,characterized with its EC50at 2.80×10-10,3.03×10-11,3.77×10-11and 4.65×10-11mol/L at d0,d28,d56and d84,respectively.Existed iNOS was located at hepatocyte at d0,stellate cells at d28,stellate cells and macrophages at d56,and macrophages in portal triads at d84.Macrophages infiltrated more into portal triads and expressed more iNOS along with PHT development.AUC values of Gly were positively correlated with existed iNOS levels in portal triads.CONCLUSION:Gly reduces indirectly PHT in IPPRL with CCl4-induced chronic hepatitis.The underlying mechanisms may relate to rescue NO bioavailability from macrophage-derived peroxynitrite in portal triads.

Uptake of albumin nanoparticle surface modified with glycyrrhizin by primary cultured rat hepatocytes

AIM: To investigate the uptake difference between bovine serum albumin nanoparticle (BSA-NP) and bovine serum albumin nanoparticles with their surface modified byglycyrrhizin (BSA-NP-GL) and to develop a novel hepatocyte targeting BSA-NP-GL based on active targeting technology mediated by specific binding site of GL on rat cellular membrane. METHODS: Calcein loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (Cal-BSA-NP) were prepared by desolvation process. Glycyrrhizin was conjugated to the surface reactive amino groups (SRAG) of Cal-BSA-NP by sodium periodate oxidization, which resulted in calcein-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles with their surface modified by glycyrrhizin (Cal-BSA-NP-GL). The morphology of the two types of prepared nanoparticles (NP) was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The diameter of NP was measured with a laser particle size analyzer. The interaction between Cal-BSA-NP-GL and primary cultured hepatocytes was studied through cellular uptake experiments. The uptake amount of Cal-BSA-NPGL and Cal-BSA-NP by rat hepatocytes was determinedby fluorospectrophotometry. Uptake characteristics were investigated through experiments of competitive inhibition of specific binding site of GL. RESULTS: Both Cal-BSA-NP-GL and Cal-BSA-NP had regular spherical surfaces. The average diameter of CalBSA-NP-GL and Cal-BSA-NP was 77 and 79 nm respectively. The uptake amount of the two NP by hepatocytes reached its maximum at 2 h after incubation. The uptake amount of Cal-BSA-NP-GL by rat hepatocytes was 4.43-fold higher than that of Cal-BSA-NP. There was a significant difference in the uptake of Cal-BSA-NP-GL and Cal-BSA-NP by hepatocytes (P＜0.01). The uptake of Cal-BSA-NP-GL was inhibited when GL was added previously to isolated rat hepatocytes, and the uptake of Cal-BSA-NP was not affected by GL.CONCLUSION: A binding site of GL is present on the surface of rat hepatocytes, BSA-NP-GL may be internalized via this site by hepatocytes and can be used as a drug carrier for active targeting of delivery drugs to hepatocytes.

Oxidative stress modulation in hepatitis C virus infected cells

Hepatitis C virus(HCV) replication is associated with the endoplasmic reticulum, where the virus can induce cellular stress. Oxidative cell damage plays an important role in HCV physiopathology. Oxidative stress is triggered when the concentration of oxygen species in the extracellular or intracellular environment exceeds antioxidant defenses. Cells are protected and modulate oxidative stress through the interplay of intracellular antioxidant agents, mainly glutathione system(GSH) and thioredoxin; and antioxidant enzyme systems such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, GSH peroxidase, and heme oxygenase-1. Also, the use of natural and synthetic antioxidants(vitamin C and E, N-acetylcysteine, glycyrrhizin, polyenylphosphatidyl choline, mitoquinone, quercetin, S-adenosylmethionine and silymarin) has already shown promising results as co-adjuvants in HCV therapy. Despite all the available information, it is not known how different agents with antiviral activity can interfere with the modulation of the cell redox state induced by HCV and decrease viral replication. This review describes an evidence-based consensus on molecular mechanisms involved in HCV replication and their relationship with cell damage induced by oxidative stress generated by the virus itself and cell antiviral machinery. It also describes some molecules that modify the levels of oxidative stress in HCV-infected cells.

N-acetylcysteine and glycyrrhizin combination:Benefit outcome in a murine model of acetaminophen-induced liver failure

BACKGROUND Acetaminophen overdose is the most frequent cause of drug-induced liver failure in developed countries.Substantial progress has been made in understanding the mechanism of hepatocellular injury,but N-acetylcysteine remains the only effective treatment despite its short therapeutic window.Thus,other hepatoprotective drugs are needed for the delayed treatment of acetaminopheninduced hepatotoxicity.Our interest focused on glycyrrhizin for its role as an inhibitor of high mobility group box 1(HMGB1)protein,a member of the family of damage-associated molecular pattern,known to play an important pathological role in various diseases.AIM To investigate the efficacy of the N-acetylcysteine/glycyrrhizin combination compared to N-acetylcysteine alone in the prevention of liver toxicity.METHODS Eight-week-old C57BL/6J wild-type female mice were used for all our experiments.Mice fasted for 15 h were treated with acetaminophen(500 mg/kg)or vehicle(phosphate-buffered saline)by intraperitoneal injection and separated into the following groups:Glycyrrhizin(200 mg/kg);N-acetylcysteine(150 mg/kg);and N-acetylcysteine/glycyrrhizin.In all groups,mice were sacrificed 12 h following acetaminophen administration.The assessment of hepatotoxicity was performed by measuring plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase.Hepatotoxicity was also evaluated by histological examination of hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissues sections.Survival rates were compared between various groups using Kaplan-Meier curves.RESULTS Consistent with data published in the literature,we confirmed that intraperitoneal administration of acetaminophen(500 mg/kg)in mice induced severe liver injury as evidenced by increases in alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase but also by liver necrosis score.Glycyrrhizin administration was shown to reduce the release of HMGB1 and significantly decreased the severity of liver injury.Thus,the co-administration of glycyrrhizin and N-acetylcysteine was investigated.Administered concomitantly with acetaminophen,the combination significantly reduced the severity of liver injury.Delayed administration of the combination of drugs,2 h or 6 h after acetaminophen,also induced a significant decrease in hepatocyte necrosis compared to mice treated with N-acetylcysteine alone.In addition,administration of N-acetylcysteine/glycyrrhizin combination was associated with an improved survival rate compared to mice treated with only N-acetylcysteine.CONCLUSION We demonstrate that,compared to N-acetylcysteine alone,co-administration of glycyrrhizin decreases the liver necrosis score and improves survival in a murine model of acetaminophen-induced liver injury.Our study opens a potential new therapeutic pathway in the prevention of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity.

Effect of Discontinuous Administration of β -glucan and Glycyrrhizin on the Growth and Immunity of Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus Vannamei

A six-week growth trial was conducted to compare the effects of different feeding strate- gies of dietary immunostimulants on the growth and immunity of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei （4.70 ±0.20g）. Shrimps were fed with diet containing glycyrrhizin continuously, containing β -glucan continuously, discontinuously （seven days with diet containing β -gluseven days with diet without -glucan; two days with diet containing β-glucan following five days with diet without -glucan）,

Promoting effect of licorice extract on induction of β-glucuronidase in Penicillium purpurogenum Li-3

PeniciUium purpurogenum Li-3, a fungus producing β-glucuronidase （PGUS）, can con- vert glycyrrhizin （GL） to glycyrrhetinic acid monoglucuronide （GAMG） when grown in medium with GL as the sole carbon source. In order to improve the conversion rate of GL and the yield of GAMG, licorice extract （LE） was added as an inducer to enhance the production of GAMG by the PGUS. In this work, the influence of LE on the conversion rate of GL to GAMG was studied. When the Penicil- lium purpurogenum Li-3 was grown in the medium containing LE and GL （ concentration ratio of LE to GL was 2： 3）, the conversion rate of GL was 84. 12% with 38. 18% increase and the yield of GAMG was 80. 47% with 37. 18% increase, comparing with to the medium only containing GL at 48 h. The enzyme activity of ^-glucuronidase was also enhanced from 22. 4 U/mL to 82.3 U/mL, which in- creased up to about 3. 67 fold. The results showed that LE could significantly improve the induced expression level of PGUS.

Development of a validated UPLC-qTOF-MS/MS method for determination of bioactive constituent from Glycyrrhiza glabra

An ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry （UPLC-qTOF-MS/MS） method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetic acid. These analytes were separated on a reverse phase C18 column using a mobile phase of acetonitrile：2% acetic acid in water （75：25, v/v） with a flow rate of 200 μL/min. The qTOF-MS was operated under multiple reaction monitoring （MRM） mode using the electrospray ionization （ESI） technique with positive ion polarity. A comparison of three different extraction techniques i.e. accelerated solvent extraction （ASE）, extraction under ultrasonic waves （USW） and the classical extraction by percolation （CE） method was done and quantification of these extracts was also carried out by the proposed method.

Simultaneous Determination of Effective Components of Gegen Qinlian Tablets by HPLC

[Objectives]To establish a HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of 14 characteristic components in Gegen Qinlian tablets and the content of Gegen Qinlian tablets in 11 manufacturers.[Methods]A Inertsil ODS-3(250 mm×4.6 mm,5μm)reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography column was used with acetonitrile-0.02 mol/L ammonium acetate+0.03%triethylamine solution(adjusted with glacial acetic acid to pH of 4.3)as the mobile phase for gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min.The determination wavelength of 8 components(puerarin,daidzin,liquiritin,baicalin,wogonoside,daidzein,ammonium glycyrrhizinate,baicalein)was 250 nm;the determination wavelength of wogonoside was 280 nm;the determination wavelength of 5 components(epierberine,jatrorrhizine hydrochloride,coptisine,palmatine hydrochloride and berberine hydrochloride)was 346 nm.[Results]There was a good linear relationship between the injection volume of puerarin,daidzin,liquiritin,baicalin,wogonoside,epierberine,jatrorrhizine hydrochloride,coptisine,daidzein,palmatine hydrochloride,ammonium glycyrrhizinate,berberine hydrochloride,baicalein and wogonin and peak area(r>0.9990)in the range of 146.26-5850.24,24.13-965.04,18.45-738.00,79.18-3167.32,9.57-382.80,4.76-190.40,2.57-102.80,13.41-536.40,10.60-424.00,11.33-453.22,12.08-483.20,46.73-1869.25,20.28-811.20,12.11-484.50 ng,respectively;the average recovery rates(n=6)were 2.18%,1.79%,1.81%,1.68%,2.27%,2.13%,1.96%,1.07%,0.93%,0.61%,2.92%,0.77%,2.79%and 0.62%,respectively;the precision,repeatability and stability were good,and the RSD was less than 3%.This method was used to determine 16 batches of Gegen Qinlian tablets produced by 11 enterprises.Wogonoside was not detected in a lot of samples,but 14 components were detected for other enterprises,but the content was different.[Conclusions]The method was accurate and feasible and could be used for the overall quality control of this variety.

Pseudo-hyperaldosteronism caused by compound glycyrrhizin tablets: a case report

Compound glycyrrhizin tablets(CGT)is a glycyrrhizin-containing preparation for the treatment of chronic hepatic diseases,it contained Glycyrrhizin,Monoammonium Glycyrrhizinate,Aminoacetic Acid and Methionine.CGT has been shown to have anti-inflammatory,anti-oxidative,and anti-viral effects.Although pseudo-hyperaldosteronism was reported as its important side effects,the frequency was unknown.A 59-year-old male patient with tuberculous pleurisy received CGT to prevent impairment in liver function which was caused by antituberculosis drugs.After more than one month,it appeared edema in the lower extremity,blood pressure increased,serum potassium lowed,serum sodium raised at the normal high limit.Finally,it was improved by suspending the CGT and diuretic treatment.

Influence of compound glycyrrhizin on liver functions, liver fibrosis indexes and inflammatory factors of patients with chronic hepatitis B

Objective:To investigate influence of Compound Glycyrrhizin on liver functions, liver fibrosis indexes and inflammatory factors of patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods:A total of 96 cases of patients with chronic hepatitis B treated in our hospital from Jan2015 to Jun2016 were selected as subjects, and randomly divided to be 48 cases of observation group and 48 cases of control group. Patients in both of the two groups were received routine liver protecting drug treatment. For observation group, Compound Glycyrrhizin injection was given on the basis of routine treatment. Variations of liver function indexes, liver fibrosis indexes and inflammatory factors between the two groups before and after treatment were compared and observed.Results:No obvious difference showed on AST, ALT, ALB TBIL levels between two groups of patients before treatment;After treatment, AST, ALT, TBIL in two groups of patients were significantly decreased, ALB were significantly increased. Significant difference showed comparing with prior treatment;After treatment, AST, ALT and TBIL levels in observation group were (29.53±9.44) U/L, (32.36±10.93) U/L and (10.12±3.22) μmol/L, which were significantly lower than in control group. ALB levels in observation group were (43.57±12.42) g/L, which were significantly higher than ALB levels in control group. Before treatment, no statistical difference showed on HA, LN, IV-C and PCIII levels between two groups of patients. After treatment, HA, LN, IV-C and PCIII in two groups of patients were significantly decreased, which showed significant difference comparing with prior treatment;After treatment, HA, LN, IV-C and PCIII levels in observation group were (97.33±31.75) μg/L, (77.52±23.72) μg/L, (82.92±24.55) μg/L, (15.33±5.11) μg/L, which were significantly lower than in control group. Before treatment, no significant difference showed on IL-2, IL-6 and TNF- levels between two groups of patients;After treatment, IL-2 levels in two groups of patients were significantly increased, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly decreased, the differences showed significance;After treatment, IL-2 levels in observation group were (131.48±30.63) U/mL, which were higher than IL-2 levels in control group. IL-6 and TNF-αlevels in observation group were (45.23±16.45) μg/L, (41.75±17.53) ng/L, which were lower than IL-6 and TNF-α levels in control group, differences showed significance.Conclusion:Compound Glycyrrhizin could effectively release liver fibrosis and inflammatory reactions for patients with chronic hepatitis B, and could further improve liver functions.

Hypertension Unusual Cause

We expose a case of a woman with hypertension and hypokalemia. The differential diagnosis should include primary hyperaldosteronism, diuretics or lazantes intake, secondary hyperaldosteronism. In this patient, additional tests performed show no cause of hormonal disruption and the whole picture is due to a high intake of licorice. Glycyrrhetinic acid, the active component of licorice, inhibits renal IIbeta-hydroxisteroid dehydrogenase. This allows cortisol to stimulate mineralocorticoid receptors. Licorice ingestion should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypertension with hypokalemia.

Determination of Glycyrrhizic Acid Dipotassium in Wash and Care Cosmetics by HPLC

To establish a method for the determination of glycyrrhizic acid dipotassium in various cosmetics(shampoo,shower gel,hair conditioner and cleanser)with High Performance Liquid Chromatography.ZORBAX SB-C18 column(4.6 mm×250 mm,5μm)was used.The 0.01 mol/L phosphoric acid solution-acetonitrile(63:37)was used as the flow equivalent elution.The sample was extracted by ultrasonic methanol and detected by diode array detector,The extraction solvent and chromatographic conditions were studied and optimized.Glycyrrhizic acid dipotassium has a good linear relationship in the concentration range of 1~200μg/mL(R²=0.9997).The average recovery rates of glycyrrhizic acid dipotassium in shampoo,shower gel,hair conditioner and cleanser were 92.92%~101.69%.The method was precise and accurate and could be used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of Glycyrrhizic acid dipotassium in cosmetics.

The antiviral and antimicrobial activities of licorice, a widely-used Chinese herb

Licorice is a common herb which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.More than 20 triterpenoids and nearly 300 flavonoids have been isolated from licorice. Recent studies have shown that these metabolites possess many pharmacological activities, such as antiviral,antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and other activities. This paper provides a summary of the antiviral and antimicrobial activities of licorice. The active components and the possible mechanisms for these activities are summarized in detail. This review will be helpful for the further studies of licorice for its potential therapeutic effects as an antiviral or an antimicrobial agent.