Research - Glycyrrhiza Glabra / Licorice
Efficacy of whole extract of licorice in neurological improvement of patients after acute ischemic stroke
- Parsa Ravanfara, ,
- Golnaz Namazia,
- Mahsa Atigha,
- Shaghayegh Zafarmanda,
- Azadeh Hamedib,
- Alireza Salehic,
- Sadegh Izadia, ,
- Afshin Borhani-Haghighia
Objective Licorice root has been reported to contain several neuroprotective compounds. In the present study we investigated its benefit in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke for which, treatment modalities are limited.
Design Randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial.
Subjects75 patients admitted to the neurology emergency department of Namazi hospital affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran, diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke.
InterventionPatients were randomly prescribed oral 450 mg or 900 mg licorice extract or placebo capsules three times daily for 7 days. National institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) and Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) scores were assessed before initiation of therapy and 3 months after treatment. Improvement of these scores were compared between study and control groups.
Results Mean NIHSS scores in 450 mg and 900 mg groups decreased from an initial score of 10.68 and 10.44 to 6.4 and 5.48 after 3 months respectively; while in the control group changed from 8.36 to 5.64. The decline in NIHSS scores were significantly greater in licorice treated groups than the control group. Similarly the decrease in MRS was greater in the licorice treated groups (4.2–2.9 in 450 mg licorice group, and 4.4–2.8 in 900 mg licorice group) versus the control group (3.9–2.8). None of the participants developed adverse reactions attributed to licorice overdose.
Conclusions The results of this study support the beneficial effect of whole licorice extract in neurologic improvement of patients with acute ischemic stroke. Licorice may be useful as a medication for the treatment of the adverse effects caused by acute ischemic stroke
Source : Journal of Herbal Medicine
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A targeted approach for evaluating preclinical activity of botanical extracts for support of bone health
Yumei Lina1, Mary A. Murraya1, I. Ross Garretta2a3, Gloria E. Gutierreza2a4, Jeffry S. Nymana2a5, Gregory Mundya2a6 †, David Fasta7, Kevin W. Gellenbecka1 c1, Amitabh Chandraa7 and Shyam Ramakrishnana1a8
a1 Nutrilite Health Institute, 5600 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park, CA 90622, USA
a2 OsteoScreen Ltd, 2040 Babcock Road, San Antonio, TX 78023, USA
a3 9909 Charthouse Cove, Austin, TX 78730, USA
a4 Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78238, USA
a5 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
a6 Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
a7 Access Business Group, 7575 East Fulton Avenue, Ada, MI 49355, USA
a8 The Himalaya Drug Company, Makali, Tumkur Road, Bangalore – 562123, India
Abstract
Using a sequential in vitro/in vivo approach, we tested the ability of botanical extracts to influence biomarkers associated with bone resorption and bone formation. Pomegranate fruit and grape seed extracts were found to exhibit anti-resorptive activity by inhibiting receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) expression in MG-63 cells and to reduce IL-1β-stimulated calvarial 45Ca loss. A combination of pomegranate fruit and grape seed extracts were shown to be effective at inhibiting bone loss in ovariectomised rats as demonstrated by standard histomorphometry, biomechanical and bone mineral density measurements. Quercetin and licorice extract exhibited bone formation activity as measured by bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) promoter activation, increased expression of BMP-2 mRNA and protein levels, and promotion of bone growth in cultured mouse calvariae. A combination of quercetin and licorice extract demonstrated a potential for increasing bone mineral density in an intact female rat model as compared with controls. The results from this sequential in vitro/in vivo research model yielded botanical extract formulas that demonstrate significant potential benefits for bone health.
Source : The Journal of Nutritional Sciences
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An Extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (GutGard) Alleviates Symptoms of Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Kadur Ramamurthy Raveendra, 1 Jayachandra, 2 Venkatappa Srinivasa, 3 Kadur Raveendra Sushma, 1 Joseph Joshua Allan, 4 * Krishnagouda Shankargouda Goudar, 4 Hebbani Nagarajappa Shivaprasad, 4 Kudiganti Venkateshwarlu, 4 Periasamy Geetharani, 4 Gopalakrishna Sushma, 4 and Amit Agarwal 4
Abstract
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of GutGard, an extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra, in patients with functional dyspepsia. The primary outcome variables of the study were the change in the severity symptoms and the global assessment of efficacy. The quality of life was evaluated as a secondary outcome measure. The patients received either placebo or GutGard (75mg twice daily) for 30 days. Efficacy was evaluated in terms of change in the severity of symptoms (as measured by 7-point Likert scale), the global assessment of efficacy, and the assessment of quality of life using the short-form Nepean Dyspepsia Index. In comparison with placebo, GutGard showed a significant decrease (P ≤ .05) in total symptom scores on day 15 and day 30, respectively. Similarly, GutGard showed marked improvement in the global assessment of efficacy in comparison to the placebo. The GutGard group also showed a significant decrease (P ≤ .05) in the Nepean dyspepsia index on day 15 and 30, respectively, when compared to placebo. GutGard was generally found to be safe and well-tolerated by all patients. GutGard has shown significant efficacy in the management of functional dyspepsia.
Source : Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012; 2012: 216970.
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