Licorice for diabetes

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MunichEven the ancient Egyptians knew: Licorice is a valuable medicinal plant. In the meantime, the anti-inflammatory effect of the roots has also been recognized by conventional medicine. Japanese researchers have elucidated the molecular mechanism behind the beneficial effects of licorice roots.

To do this, the scientists working with Kiyoshi Takatsu from the University of Toyoma stimulated immune cells with substances that trigger inflammation. Then they added different substances from the liquorice root to the cell cultures. The result: Even small amounts of the plant compound isoliquiritigenin inhibited the inflammatory reaction.

Cushions fats

The researchers then tested this substance in an experiment with mice. Some of the rodents were fed normally, a second group received a very high-fat diet. The same applied to the third group, but the scientists mixed 0.5 percent isoliquiritigenin with their food. Because of the high-fat diet, many mice became obese after 20 weeks, developed type 2 diabetes or a fatty liver. If the rodents also received the active ingredient from the liquorice, the diseases mentioned occurred significantly less often, but still more frequently than among the healthy animals. "Effective drugs against diabetes could be developed on the basis of the licorice active ingredients," says Takatsu. Obesity and fatty liver may also be kept in check with the help of the active ingredient.

Against gastric mucosal inflammation

The roots of liquorice contain a whole range of other effective substances that also protect the mucous membranes, act against viruses and bacteria or have an antispasmodic effect. Licorice root tea helps against coughs. The anti-inflammatory effect is also used for inflammation of the gastric mucosa (gastritis) or for gastric or duodenal ulcers. (away)

Source: Takatsu K. et al., Isoliquiritigenin is a potent inhibitor of NLRP3 inflammosome activation and diet induced adipose tissue inflammation, Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 2014.

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