The Counter-Effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra Against Gastrointestinal Tract Toxicity of Indomethacin on Rats

Abstract

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. has been used in treating various medical conditions, including stomach disorders such as  flatulence and dyspepsia. Its anti-ulcer activity has been reported to be conflicting. The present study aims to evaluate  the protective effects of G. glabra extract on indomethacin-induced gastritis and other gastrointestinal toxicities in rats.  Thirty Wistar rats were used in the study and divided into three groups, ten rats in each group. Group I (Control) had  free access to standard rat food and water; Group II (Test) had indomethacin administered orally at a dose of 30 mg/kg,  given daily; Group III (Intervention) had an ethanol extract of G. glabra administered at 200 mg/kg body weight  suspended in distilled water. G. glabra was collected locally in Egypt. The gastroprotective effect of the extract was  studied in rats in combination with indomethacin. The present study shows that G. glabra extract significantly protects  the stomach mucosa against indomethacin-induced gastritis in rats, where the inflammation grade caused by a combination of extract of G. glabra and indomethacin in the intervention group was less than that of the test group with  indomethacin alone (p < 0.01). However, the inflammation grade of gastric mucosa in the intervention group was  insignificant compared to the control group (p > 0.01). Furthermore, G. glabra extract significantly increases gastric pH,  decreases the stomach’s secretion volume and total acidity, and enhances serum iron, hemoglobulin, and vitamin B12 levels (p ≤ 0.05). Based on the results of this study, it was concluded that G. glabra exerted a gastric protective effect.