Cytoprotective Activity of Glycyrrhizae radix Extract Against Arsenite-induced Cytotoxicity.
Licorice, Glycyrrhizae radix, is one of the herbal medicines in East Asia that has been commonly used for treating various diseases, including stomach disorders. This study investigated the effect of licorice on arsenite (As)-induced cytotoxicity in H4IIE cells, a rat hepatocyte-derived cell line. Cell viability was significantly diminished in As-treated H4IIE cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, results from flow cytometric assay and DNA laddering in H4IIE cells showed that As treatment induced apoptotic cell death by activating caspase-3. Licorice (0.1 and 1.0 mg ml(-1)) treatment significantly inhibited cell death and the activity of caspase-3 in response to As exposure. These results demonstrate that licorice induced a cytoprotective effect against As-induced cell death by inhibition of caspase-3.
Kim
Sang Chan
SC
College of Oriental Medicine and Research Center for Biomedical Resources of Oriental Medicine, Daegu Haany University, 165 Sang-dong, Suseong-gu, Daegu 706-060, Korea.
Park
Sook Jahr
SJ
Lee
Jong Rok
JR
Seo
Jung Cheol
JC
Yang
Chae Ha
CH
Byun
Sung Hui
SH