title: Two activators of in vitro fertilization in mice from licorice.
abstract: Systems for artificial insemination have been established in some animals. However, due to limited availability of sperm and oocytes, more effective treatment methodologies are required. Recently, it was demonstrated that the rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in mice was improved by adding a water extract of licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), but not glycyrrhizic acid, to the artificial insemination culture medium. In this study, we examined licorice extract for active compounds using bioassay-guided separation. The results indicated that isoliquiritigenin and formononetin were the active molecules in licorice that contributed to the improved rate of IVF.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagasaki International University, 2825-7 Huis Ten Bosch, Sasebo, Nagasaki 859-3298, Japan(2).
authors.forename: Nguyen Huu
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Tung
authors.affiliation: Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagasaki International University, 2825-7 Huis Ten Bosch, Sasebo, Nagasaki 859-3298, Japan(2).
authors.forename: Yukihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shoyama
authors.affiliation: Molecular Biology Laboratories, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagasaki International University, 2825-7 Huis Ten Bosch, Sasebo, Nagasaki 859-3298, Japan.
authors.forename: Morimasa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.affiliation: Molecular Biology Laboratories, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagasaki International University, 2825-7 Huis Ten Bosch, Sasebo, Nagasaki 859-3298, Japan. Electronic address: h-tanaka@niu.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Hiromitsu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D047188:Chalcones / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000187:drug effects*; D029882:Glycyrrhiza uralensis / Q000737:chemistry*; D006064:Gonadotropins, Equine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006736:Horses; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D047188:Chalcones; D006064:Gonadotropins, Equine; D007529:Isoflavones; D010936:Plant Extracts; C007768:formononetin; C040920:isoliquiritigenin
keywords: Assisted reproductive technology (ART); Flavonoid; Formononetin; Glycyrrhizin; Insemination; Isoliquiritigenin; Licorice; Polyphenol; Sperm