**2. Biological activity of licorice extracts and purified components**

#### **2.1. Preparation of flavonoid and chalcone derivatives**

For the preparation of licorice flavonoids, the air‐dried roots of *Glycyrrhiza inflate* were extracted with MeOH under reflux. The MeOH extracts were dried *in vacuo* and passed through a Diaion HP‐20 column, eluting sequentially with H<sup>2</sup> O, 50% EtOH and EtOH. The 50% EtOH eluate was chromatographed on a silica gel column (CHCl3 :MeOH:H2 O = 10:5:1) to give two fractions. The latter fraction was chromatographed on an octa decyl silyl (ODS) column (MeOH:H2 O, 45:55) to give three fractions. From the first fraction, liquiritin apio‐ side, liquiritigenin 7‐apiosylglucoside, liquiritin, and neoliquiritin were obtained with high‐ performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (YMC‐Pack Pro C18; MeOH:H<sup>2</sup> O, 40:60 and CH3 CN:H2 O, 22:78). From the second fraction, isoliquiritin apioside, licurazid, isoliquiritin, and neoisoliquiritin were obtained with HPLC (YMC‐Pack Pro C18, MeOH:H<sup>2</sup> O, 50:50, and CH3 CN:H2 O, 30:70). From the third fraction, liquiritigenin and isoliquiritigenin were obtained with recycling HPLC (JAI‐gel GS‐310, MeOH) [2]. The structures of these compounds are shown in **Figure 1**.

For the preparation of water and alkaline extracts, the licorice roots (*Glycyrrhiza glabra* har‐ vested in Afghanistan) were extracted for 20 h with water (not adjusted or adjusted to pH 9 or pH 12) at room temperature. These extracts were filtered through a membrane filter (pore size: 5 μm), neutralized with NaOH or H2 SO4 and then dried to obtain the water extract (A), alkaline (pH 9.0) extract (B) and alkaline (pH 12.0) extract (C) at the yield of 18.0, 20.3, and 21.7%, respectively (**Figure 2A**). Two alkaline solutions (pH 9.0 and pH 12.0) extracted these ingredients at higher yield than water extraction. Glycyrrhizic acid was the most abundant compound in these extracts, followed by liquiritin apioside and licurazid (**Figure 2b**) [3].

Applicability of Licorice Extracts for Treatment of Oral Diseases, Evaluated by Simplified *In Vitro* Assay Systems... http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/67435 93

**Figure 1.** Structures of licorice root flavonoids.

It is now accepted that the improvement of oral environment leads to the enrichment of qual‐ ity of life. The number of healthy teeth in aged people well correlates with longevity. In Japan, many of Kampo medicines and component herb extracts have been applied to various oral diseases. However, the selection of Kampo medicines in each case is mostly depended on the experiences of attending physicians, due to the absence of a quantitative evaluation method of their efficacy. This urged us to establish the quick *in vitro* quantification method of antivi‐ ral, antitumor, anti‐inflammatory, and anti‐UV activity, using appropriate cultured cells [1]. These methods were applied to various Kampo medicines and component extracts of plants

It was the best to use oral cells for the study of oral diseases. Therefore, we used oral squa‐ mous cell carcinoma cell lines and normal oral cells for the study of antitumor activity, and human gingival and periodontal ligament fibroblasts for the study of anti‐inflammatory activity. However, we rather used nonoral cells for the study of antiviral and anti‐UV activity due to their higher sensitivity (T‐cell leukemia and Vero cells for HIV and HSV infection) and

For the preparation of licorice flavonoids, the air‐dried roots of *Glycyrrhiza inflate* were extracted with MeOH under reflux. The MeOH extracts were dried *in vacuo* and passed

to give two fractions. The latter fraction was chromatographed on an octa decyl silyl (ODS)

side, liquiritigenin 7‐apiosylglucoside, liquiritin, and neoliquiritin were obtained with high‐

with recycling HPLC (JAI‐gel GS‐310, MeOH) [2]. The structures of these compounds are

For the preparation of water and alkaline extracts, the licorice roots (*Glycyrrhiza glabra* har‐ vested in Afghanistan) were extracted for 20 h with water (not adjusted or adjusted to pH 9 or pH 12) at room temperature. These extracts were filtered through a membrane filter (pore

alkaline (pH 9.0) extract (B) and alkaline (pH 12.0) extract (C) at the yield of 18.0, 20.3, and 21.7%, respectively (**Figure 2A**). Two alkaline solutions (pH 9.0 and pH 12.0) extracted these ingredients at higher yield than water extraction. Glycyrrhizic acid was the most abundant compound in these extracts, followed by liquiritin apioside and licurazid (**Figure 2b**) [3].

SO4

O, 45:55) to give three fractions. From the first fraction, liquiritin apio‐

O, 22:78). From the second fraction, isoliquiritin apioside, licurazid, isoliquiritin,

O, 30:70). From the third fraction, liquiritigenin and isoliquiritigenin were obtained

O, 50% EtOH and EtOH. The

O = 10:5:1)

O, 40:60 and

O, 50:50, and

:MeOH:H2

and then dried to obtain the water extract (A),

including licorice to clarify their relative potency.

92 Biological Activities and Action Mechanisms of Licorice Ingredients

also considering the target specificity (skin cells for UV‐irradiation).

**2.1. Preparation of flavonoid and chalcone derivatives**

column (MeOH:H2

CN:H2

CN:H2

shown in **Figure 1**.

size: 5 μm), neutralized with NaOH or H2

CH3

CH3

through a Diaion HP‐20 column, eluting sequentially with H<sup>2</sup>

50% EtOH eluate was chromatographed on a silica gel column (CHCl3

performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (YMC‐Pack Pro C18; MeOH:H<sup>2</sup>

and neoisoliquiritin were obtained with HPLC (YMC‐Pack Pro C18, MeOH:H<sup>2</sup>

**2. Biological activity of licorice extracts and purified components**


**Figure 2.** (A) Fractional preparation of water and alkaline extracts from licorice root (*G. glabra*) and distribution of major ingredients. (B) Major ingredients in each extract. Cited from Ref. [3].

#### **2.2. Antiviral activity**

#### *2.2.1. Anti‐HIV activity*

Human T‐cell leukemia virus I (HTLV‐I)‐bearing CD4‐positive human T‐cell line MT‐4 was cultured in suspension in an RPMI‐1640 medium supplemented with 10% FBS and infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐1IIIB at a multiplicity of infection of 0.01. HIV‐ and mock‐infected MT‐4 cells were incubated for 5 days with different concen‐ trations of extracts and the relative viable cell number was determined by MTT assay. The concentrations that reduced the viable cell number by 50% (CC50) and that increased the number of viable HIV‐infected cells to 50% of control (EC50) were determined from the dose‐response curve. The anti‐HIV activity was evaluated by the selectivity index (SI) (SI = CC50/EC50). Infection of MT‐4 cells with HIV‐1 reduced the cell viability to almost zero. Alkaline extract of licorice root (*G. Glabra*) showed the protective effect on HIV infection (SI > 9.2), although its anti‐HIV activity was much lower than that of anti‐HIV agents [azidothymidine (AZT), 2′,3′‐dideoxycytidine (ddC)] (SI = 3029–11,715) and an alkaline extract of the leaves of *Sasa senanensis* Rehder (SE) (SI = 42.7) (left column, **Table 1**). On the other hand, water extract of licorice root, flavonoid‐rich fraction, glycyrrhizin acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, flavonoids (iquiritin apioside, liquiritin 7‐apiosylglucose, liquiritin, neoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritin apioside, lucurzid, isoliquiritin, neoisoliquiri‐ tin, isoliquiritigenin), and polymethoxyflavonoids (tricin, 3,3′,4′,5,6,7,8‐heptamethoxy‐ flavone, nobiletin, tangeretin, sudachitin) were all inactive (SI < 1), due to their higher cytotoxicity [4].


concentrations that reduced the viable cell number by 50% (CC50) and that increased the number of viable HIV‐infected cells to 50% of control (EC50) were determined from the dose‐response curve. The anti‐HIV activity was evaluated by the selectivity index (SI) (SI = CC50/EC50). Infection of MT‐4 cells with HIV‐1 reduced the cell viability to almost zero. Alkaline extract of licorice root (*G. Glabra*) showed the protective effect on HIV infection (SI > 9.2), although its anti‐HIV activity was much lower than that of anti‐HIV agents [azidothymidine (AZT), 2′,3′‐dideoxycytidine (ddC)] (SI = 3029–11,715) and an alkaline extract of the leaves of *Sasa senanensis* Rehder (SE) (SI = 42.7) (left column, **Table 1**). On the other hand, water extract of licorice root, flavonoid‐rich fraction, glycyrrhizin acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, flavonoids (iquiritin apioside, liquiritin 7‐apiosylglucose, liquiritin, neoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritin apioside, lucurzid, isoliquiritin, neoisoliquiri‐ tin, isoliquiritigenin), and polymethoxyflavonoids (tricin, 3,3′,4′,5,6,7,8‐heptamethoxy‐ flavone, nobiletin, tangeretin, sudachitin) were all inactive (SI < 1), due to their higher

**Anti‐HSV activity Antitumor activity (TS)**

**(Method II) Method I Method II**

**Epithel. Tumor/ Mesen. normal (Method I)**

**Gingiva. Tumor/ Gingiva. normal** 

**cell recovery (%)**

<1 3.4 6.8 50 >3.5 4.2

<1 4.6 9.2 69 5.5 5.2

><1 <1 2.0 57 ><1 ><1

>3.0 <1 3.2 62 ><1 ><1

>9.2 <1 <1 49 ><1 ><1

**SI Maximum** 

Water extract (μg/ml) >1.3 ><1 >4.6 60 ><1 ><1

Glycyrrhizin acid (μg/ml) >1.2 <1 <1 ND ><1 ><1 Glycyrrhetinic acid (μg/ml) <1 <1 <1 ND 1.1 1.1

><1 ><1 >21 58 1.0

Liquiritin apioside (μg/ml) ><1 >5 >500 79 ><1.0

Liquiritin (μg/ml) <1 <1 2.8 55 >1.7 Neoliquiritin (μg/ml) <1 <1 2.9 59 ><0.9 Liquiritigenin (μg/ml) <1 2.4 >6 77 2.0

cytotoxicity [4].

**Licorice root extracts**

extract (μg/ml)

(pH 5.6) (μg/ml)

(μg/ml)

(μg/ml)

(μg/ml)

Purified fraction of water

Flavonoid‐rich fraction of water extract (μg/ml)

Water extract (different lot)

Alkaline (pH 9.0) extract

Alkaline (pH12.0) extract

**Licorice flavonoids**

Liquiritin 7‐apiosylglucose

**Anti‐HIV activity (SI)**

94 Biological Activities and Action Mechanisms of Licorice Ingredients


**Table 1.** Anti‐HIV, anti‐HSV, and antitumor activity of licorice extracts. Cited from Ref. [4].

Ten Kampo medicine and 25 constituent herb extracts showed little or no anti‐HIV activity (SI = 1–4) (**Table 2**) [15], possibly due to the fact that most of them were prepared by hot water extraction.


Applicability of Licorice Extracts for Treatment of Oral Diseases, Evaluated by Simplified *In Vitro* Assay Systems... http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/67435 97


**Table 2.** Anti‐UV and anti‐HIV activity of Kampo medicine and constitutional plant extract. Cited from Refs. [15, 16].

#### *2.2.2. Anti‐HSV activity*

**Name Glycyrrhizin** 

**Constituent herb extracts**

*Atractylodes lancea* rhizome

*Cimicifuga* rhizome

Japanese Angelica root

*Phellodendron* bark

*Polyporus* sclerotium

**Chinese medicines** **content (mg/g)**

96 Biological Activities and Action Mechanisms of Licorice Ingredients

**LPS contamination** 

*Alisma* rhizome <0.1 <2 ><1.0 11 ><1.0 *Asiasarum* root <0.1 2 ><1.0 >13 <1.0 *Astragalus* root <0.1 17 ><1.0 >13 ><1.0

*Bupleurum* root <0.1 17 <0.7 <0.1 ><1.0

*Cinnamon* bark <0.1 13 <0.6 7.1 <1.0 *Cnidium* rhizome <0.1 18 ><1.0 >9.2 >1.5 *Coptis* rhizome <0.1 16 1.5 13 <1.0 *Gardenia* fruit <0.1 15 >8 >23 >2.7 Ginger <0.1 14 <0.8 <0.3 ><1.0 *Ginseng* <0.1 18 ><1.0 >7.1 ><1.0 *Glycyrrhiza* 175.4 19 4.3 4.4 <1.0

Japanese Gentian <0.1 16 >1.1 >20 ><1.0 *Jujube* <0.1 16 ><1.0 >3 ><1.0 Peony root <0.1 16 ><1.0 >18 <1.0

*Pinellia* tuber <0.1 <2 ><1.0 >3.7 ><1.0 *Platycodon* root <0.1 18 <0.8 <0.15 ><1.0

*Poria* sclerotium <0.1 <2 ><1.0 4.8 ><1.0 *Rehmannia* root <0.1 10 ><1.0 >7.1 ><1.0 *Saposhnikovia* root <0.1 13 >1.3 >20 ><1.0 *Scutellaria* root <0.1 <2 <0.9 38 <1.0

Byakkokaninjinto 7.2 17 ><1.0 3.5 <1.0 Hangesyashinto 16.2 9 >4.9 >28 <1.0

<0.1 16 <0.8 <0.1 >1.9

<0.1 15 >1.4 9.7 <1.0

<0.1 18 ><1.0 >3.9 >1.1

<0.1 14 <0.1 10 <1.0

<0.1 19 >1.0 >26 >4.4

**Anti‐UV activity (SI) Anti‐HIV activity** 

**SI HSC‐2 HaCaT**

**(ng/g)**

We have recently established the simple *in vitro* assay method of antiherpes simplex virus (HSV) activity. Vero cells, isolated from the kidney of African green monkey (*Cercopithecus aethiops*), [5] were infected with HSV‐1 (multiplicity of infection = 0.01). First, HSV‐1 and test samples were mixed and stood for 20 min, and the mixture was then added to the adherent Vero cells. After incubation for 4 days, the relative viable cell number was quantified by MTT reagent to yield CC50, EC50, and selectivity index (SI) (SI = CC50/EC50). By infection with HSV‐1, the cell via‐ bility dropped to 34.1 ± 8.9% (18.3–51.1%) (*n* = 33). Addition of licorice root extracts recovered the cell density to 51–64% of control level. The incomplete recovery of cell viability urged us to adopt the following two methods for measuring EC50. In method 1, EC50 was defined as the concentration at which the viability was restored to the midpoint between that of HSV‐infected cells and that of mock‐infected cells. In method II, EC50 was defined as the concentration at which the viability was restored to 50% that of mock‐infected cells (see example in **Figure 3**) [4].

It was unexpected that water extract of licorice root [SI = >< 1 (method I); 4.6 (method II)] showed higher anti‐HSV activity than alkaline extract (pH 12) (SI < 1 and < 1). Among water extracts, flavonoid‐rich fraction showed the highest anti‐HSV activity (SI = 4.6; 9.2). Among licorice flavonoids, liquiritin apioside (SI >5; >500), isoliquiritin apioside (SI >23.1; >455), lucurzid (SI >< 1; >667) and isoliquiritin (SI = 21.4; 128.6) showed the highest anti‐HSV activity (center column in **Table 1**).

Among five polymethoxyflavonoids, the SI value for tricin (SI = 5.8; 7.0) (**Figure 1**) was comparable with that of SE, while the other four polymethoxyflavonoids (3,3′,4′,5,6,7,8‐ heptamethoxyflavone, nobiletin, tangeretin, sudachitin) had little or no anti‐HSV activity (SI < 1; < 1–1.1) (**Table 1**). Among lower molecular polyphenols, epigallocatechin gallate, a major compound in green tea, had some anti‐HSV activity (SI < 1; 4.7), followed by resve‐ ratrol (SI < 1; 2.8).

**Figure 3.** Anti‐HSV activity of flavonoid‐rich fraction of water extract of liquorice root. Each value represents the mean ± SD of triplicate assays. The 50% effective concentration (EC50), determined by method I or II (see **Table 2**), and 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) is indicated by arrows. Cited from Ref. [4]. Cited from Ref. [3].

The quantitative structure‐activity relationship (QSAR) analysis [4] demonstrated that anti‐ HSV activity of licorice flavonoids and lower molecular weight polyphenols correlated well with six chemical descriptors that represent polarizability (MATS5p, GATS5p) [6, 7], ioniza‐ tion potential (GATS5i) [7], a number of ring systems (NRS) [8], and atomic number (J\_Dz(Z)) and mass (J\_Dz(m) [9] (*r*<sup>2</sup> = 0.684, 0.627, 0.624, 0.621, 0.619 and 0.618, respectively, *p* < 0.0001) (**Figure 4**). This result suggests that the physicochemical properties, rather than the category of compound, are important for determining anti‐HSV activity.

#### **2.3. Antitumor activity**

The tumor‐selectivity index (TS) was calculated by dividing the mean CC50 against normal cells by the mean CC50 against tumor cells. We used the following two methods. Method I: human gingival fibroblast (HGF) + human periodontal fibroblast (HPLF) + human pulp cells (HPC) (normal mesenchymal cells) versus Ca9‐22 + HSC‐2 + HSC‐3 + HSC‐4 (human oral squamous cell carcinoma) (epithelial cells). Method II: HGF (gingival normal mesenchymal cells) versus Ca9‐22 (gingival tumor epithelial cells) [10] (**Table 1**). We have confirmed that the TS value reflects the antitumor activity, based on the finding that antitumor drugs have extremely higher TS values [11].

**Figure 4.** QSAR analysis of anti‐HSV activity (defined as SI value determined by method II) of licorice flavonoids, polymethoxyflavonoids, and low molecular weight flavonoids. The log SI value was calculated from ‐logCC50 value and ‐logEC50 value. 1, liquiritin apioside; 2, liquiritin 7‐apiosylglucose; 3, liquiritin; 4, neoliquiritin; 5, liquiritingenin; 6, isoliquiritin apioside; 7, lucurzid; 8, isoliquiritin; 9, neoisoliquiritin; 10, isoliquiritigenin; 11, tricin; 12, 3,3′,4′,5,6,7,8‐ heptamethoxyflavone; 13, nobiletin; 14, tangeretin; 15, sudachitin; 16, epigallocatechin gallate; 17, chlorogenic acid; 18, coumaric acid; 20, resveratrol. The data of curcumin, 19, was not included since the SI value could not be obtained (center column, **Table 1**). Cited from Ref. [4].

Among licorice root extracts, flavonoid‐rich fraction of water extract showed the highest TS [TS = 5.5 (method I); 5.2 (method II)], although this value was much lower than that of popular antitumor drugs (doxorubicin, 5‐fluorouracil, methotrexate, melphalan: TS = 8.9–170). Among licorice flavonoids, neoisoliquiritin apioside and isoliquiritigenin exhibited the highest antitu‐ mor activity (TS = 4.4–9.0), which was well correlated with their solvation energy (*r*<sup>2</sup> = 0.659) (QSAR analysis) [2]. Five polymethoxyflavonoids (tricin, 3,3′,4′,5,6,7,8‐heptamethoxyflavone, nobiletin, tangeretin, and sudachitin) were weakly tumor selective (TS = 1.0–3.0) (right col‐ umn, **Table 1**) [4].

#### **2.4. Anti‐inflammatory activity**

(SI < 1; < 1–1.1) (**Table 1**). Among lower molecular polyphenols, epigallocatechin gallate, a major compound in green tea, had some anti‐HSV activity (SI < 1; 4.7), followed by resve‐

The quantitative structure‐activity relationship (QSAR) analysis [4] demonstrated that anti‐ HSV activity of licorice flavonoids and lower molecular weight polyphenols correlated well with six chemical descriptors that represent polarizability (MATS5p, GATS5p) [6, 7], ioniza‐ tion potential (GATS5i) [7], a number of ring systems (NRS) [8], and atomic number (J\_Dz(Z))

**Figure 3.** Anti‐HSV activity of flavonoid‐rich fraction of water extract of liquorice root. Each value represents the mean ± SD of triplicate assays. The 50% effective concentration (EC50), determined by method I or II (see **Table 2**), and 50%

(**Figure 4**). This result suggests that the physicochemical properties, rather than the category

The tumor‐selectivity index (TS) was calculated by dividing the mean CC50 against normal cells by the mean CC50 against tumor cells. We used the following two methods. Method I:

of compound, are important for determining anti‐HSV activity.

cytotoxic concentration (CC50) is indicated by arrows. Cited from Ref. [4]. Cited from Ref. [3].

= 0.684, 0.627, 0.624, 0.621, 0.619 and 0.618, respectively, *p* < 0.0001)

ratrol (SI < 1; 2.8).

98 Biological Activities and Action Mechanisms of Licorice Ingredients

and mass (J\_Dz(m) [9] (*r*<sup>2</sup>

**2.3. Antitumor activity**

We found that interleukin (IL)‐1β stimulated the production of prostaglandin (PG)E<sup>2</sup> , interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) by human gingival fibroblast (HGF) to much higher extent than that achieved by LPS prepared from *Escherichia coli* and *Porphyromonas gingivalis* [12]. Glycyrrhiza extract significantly inhibited the IL‐1β‐stimulated PGE<sup>2</sup> production by HGF cells (EC50 = 95 μg/ml, CC50 > 4000 μg/ml; SI = CC50/EC50 > 22) (**Figure 5A**). Similarly, glycyrrhiza extract significantly inhibited the IL‐1β‐stimulated PGE<sup>2</sup> production by human peri‐ odontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLF) cells (EC50 = 32 μg/ml, CC50 = 1878 μg/ml; SI = CC50/EC50 = 59) (**Figure 5B**) [13]. The endospecy test with LAL reagent revealed that LPS contamination in glycyr‐ rhiza and glycyrrhizin was very low (19 ng/g and <1 ng/g, respectively) (**Table 2**) [14].

**Figure 5.** Anti‐inflammatory activity of glycyrrhiza extract. HGF (A) and HPLF (B) were incubated for 24 h without (control) or with 5 ng/ml IL1‐β in the presence of the indicated concentrations of glycyrrhiza extract, and the relative viable cell number was determined by the MTT method, and the extracellular PGE2 production was determined by ELISA (Kato, unpublished data).

#### **2.5. Anti‐UV activity**

We measured the ability of test samples to protect the UV‐induced injury (referred to as anti‐ UV activity), using UV‐sensitive cell line HSC‐2 cell. We found that glycyrrhizin, a major com‐ ponent of Glycyrrhiza, exhibited very high anti‐UV activity (SI = 20.6) (**Figure 6A**, **Table 2**). In order to determine whether there is any correlation of anti‐UV activity and glycyrrhizin content, we investigated the concentration of glycyrrhizin in the plant extracts and Kampo medicines by HPLC [JASCO PU‐980 pump, a JASCO UV‐970 UV/VIS detector, Inertsil ODS‐3 column, 254 nm; mobile phase: 2.5% acetic acid (40: 60)]. Twenty‐five plant extracts, except for Glycyrrhiza (175.4 mg/g), did not contain detectable amounts of glycyrrhizin, whereas 10 Kampo medicines (Byakkokaninjinto, Hangesyashinto, Hotyuekkito, Juzentaihoto, Kikyoto, Ninjinyoeito, Rikkosan, Saireito, Shosaikoto, Unseiin) contained up to 50.3 mg/g of glycyr‐ rhizin, possibly due to the inclusion of Glycyrrhiza (**Table 2**). However, there was no clear‐cut relationship between the anti‐UV activity and glycyrrhizin content of Kampo medicines and constituent plant extracts [15] (**Table 2**).

to much higher extent than that achieved by LPS prepared from *Escherichia coli* and *Porphyromonas* 

by HGF cells (EC50 = 95 μg/ml, CC50 > 4000 μg/ml; SI = CC50/EC50 > 22) (**Figure 5A**). Similarly,

odontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLF) cells (EC50 = 32 μg/ml, CC50 = 1878 μg/ml; SI = CC50/EC50 = 59) (**Figure 5B**) [13]. The endospecy test with LAL reagent revealed that LPS contamination in glycyr‐

We measured the ability of test samples to protect the UV‐induced injury (referred to as anti‐ UV activity), using UV‐sensitive cell line HSC‐2 cell. We found that glycyrrhizin, a major com‐ ponent of Glycyrrhiza, exhibited very high anti‐UV activity (SI = 20.6) (**Figure 6A**, **Table 2**). In order to determine whether there is any correlation of anti‐UV activity and glycyrrhizin content, we investigated the concentration of glycyrrhizin in the plant extracts and Kampo medicines by HPLC [JASCO PU‐980 pump, a JASCO UV‐970 UV/VIS detector, Inertsil ODS‐3 column, 254 nm; mobile phase: 2.5% acetic acid (40: 60)]. Twenty‐five plant extracts, except for Glycyrrhiza (175.4 mg/g), did not contain detectable amounts of glycyrrhizin, whereas 10

**Figure 5.** Anti‐inflammatory activity of glycyrrhiza extract. HGF (A) and HPLF (B) were incubated for 24 h without (control) or with 5 ng/ml IL1‐β in the presence of the indicated concentrations of glycyrrhiza extract, and the relative

viable cell number was determined by the MTT method, and the extracellular PGE2

production

production by human peri‐

production was determined by

*gingivalis* [12]. Glycyrrhiza extract significantly inhibited the IL‐1β‐stimulated PGE<sup>2</sup>

rhiza and glycyrrhizin was very low (19 ng/g and <1 ng/g, respectively) (**Table 2**) [14].

glycyrrhiza extract significantly inhibited the IL‐1β‐stimulated PGE<sup>2</sup>

100 Biological Activities and Action Mechanisms of Licorice Ingredients

**2.5. Anti‐UV activity**

ELISA (Kato, unpublished data).

**Figure 6.** (A) Anti‐UV activity of glycyrrhiza (left) and glycyrrhizin (right), (B) protective effect of glycyrrhiza on the UV‐induced apoptosis in HSC‐2 cells (western blot analysis). Cited from Ref. [15].

Western blot analysis demonstrated that UV irradiation induced the production of cleaved PARP, indicating the activation of caspase‐3/‐7 in HSC‐2 cells, and that glycyrrhiza inhibited the UV‐induced caspase activation (**Figure 6B**).

Since it is preferable to use skin‐derived cells for the determination of anti‐UV activity, we inves‐ tigated the anti‐UV activity of Kampo medicines using human immortal skin keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. We found that the HaCaT cell system gave nearly 1 order higher SI value than the HSC‐2 system, maintaining good correlation of anti‐UV activity measured between these two cell lines (*r*<sup>2</sup> = 0.33) (**Figure 7A**). There was some correlation between the anti‐UV activity (defined as SI value) and absorbance at 253.7 nm in both systems (*r*<sup>2</sup> = 0.14 and 0.24, respectively) (**Figure 7B**), suggesting that some part of anti‐UV activity comes from the direct absorption of UV.

**Figure 7.** (A) Correlation between anti‐UV activities measured in HSC‐2 cells and that in HaCaT cells. (B) The correlation of anti‐UV activity and absorbance (optical density) measured at 253.7 nm (Kato et al., unpublished data).

Among 10 Kampo medicines, Shosaikoto (SI = 34) showed the highest anti‐UV activity, fol‐ lowed by Hangesyashinto (SI > 28), Unseiin (SI > 23), Ninjinyoeito (SI = 23), and Saireito (SI > 19), whereas other four Kampo medicines were much less active (SI < 9.6) (**Table 2**). Among 25 plant extracts, Scutellaria root exhibited the highest anti‐UV activity (SI = 38), followed by Polyporus sclerotium (SI > 26), Gardenia fruit (SI > 23), Japanese Gentian (SI > 20), and Saposhnikovia root (SI > 20). Glycyrrhizin also exhibited potent anti‐UV activity (SI = 36) (**Table 2**) [16].
