Abstract:

Back ground & aim: Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) is a native medicinal plant of Iran which its rhizome has been traditionally used for treatment of bowel spasm and diarrhea. Accordingly, the present study aimed to determine the effect of the hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice rhizome on mechanical activity of isolated colon of male rats.

Methods: In the present experimental study, the colon tissue of 10 adult male rats were dissected and divided into two groups: experimental and control. Each group consisted of 10 strips of tissue. Then, the mechanical activity of tissue strips were recorded by power lab A-D instrument in basal condition, and after administration of phenylephrine and epinephrine and propranolol in the presence and absence of licorice rhizome extract (with effective dose 0.036 mg/ml). Moreover, the mechanical activity of control group strips were recorded at the same condition with extract solvent (ethanol %70). Data were analyzed statistically with using the SPSS software version 19 using Independent-Samples t-test.

Result: The mechanical activity of tissue in presence of extract and epinephrine significantly decreased (p≤0.05) compared to the control group. While the mechanical activity in the presence of extract and propranolol significantly increased (p≤0.05) compared to the control group. However, no significant modification was observed in the mechanical activity of the tissue  in the presence of phenylephrine and extract compared to the control group. 

Conclusion: According to the present study, it could be concluded that hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice maybe has modifying effect on colon motility via synergist effect with beta adrenergic receptors and independent of the alpha adrenergic receptors.