Search Results (6)

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disorder that affects joint function, mobility, and pain. The release of proinflammatory cytokines stimulates matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and aggrecanase production which further induces articular cartilage degradation. Hypertrophy-like changes in chondrocytes are considered to be an important feature of OA pathogenesis. A Glycyrrhiza new variety, Wongam (WG), was developed by the Korea Rural Development Administration to enhance the cultivation and quality of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (licorice). This study examined the regulatory effect of WG against hypertrophy-like changes such as RUNX2, Collagen X, VEGFA, MMP-13 induction, and Collagen II reduction induced by IL-1β in SW1353 human chondrocytes. Additionally, in silico methods were performed to identify active compounds in licorice to target chondrocyte hypertrophy-related proteins. WG showed inhibitory effects against IL-1β-induced chondrocyte hypertrophy by regulating both HDAC4 activation via the PTH1R/PKA/PP2A pathway and the SOX9/β-catenin signaling pathway. In silico analysis demonstrated that 21 active compounds from licorice have binding potential with 11 targets related to chondrocyte hypertrophy. Further molecular docking analysis and in vivo studies elicited four compounds. Based on HPLC, isoliquiritigenin and its precursors were identified and quantified. Taken together, WG is a potential therapeutic agent for chondrocyte hypertrophy-like changes in OA. Full article

Licorice is the common name of Glycyrrhiza species, which is an important plant for edible and medicinal purposes; however, Glycyrrhiza resources have become limited because of desertification, depletion of natural resources, and environmental restrictions. For this reason, a novel Glycyrrhiza variety named Wongam, a hybrid of G. glabra and G. uralensis, was developed by the Korea Rural Development Administration. To elucidate the antiallergic inflammatory effects of Wongam, we investigated its effects using a compound-48/80-induced anaphylaxis in vivo model and PMA/A23187-stimulated HMC-1 cells and immunoglobulin E (IgE)/DNP-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells in in vitro models. Wongam treatment reduced mortality and serum IgE levels and downregulated proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in a compound-48/80-induced anaphylaxis mouse model. Wongam decreased histamine release and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in HMC-1 and RBL-2H3 cells. Wongam treatment downregulated the expression of chemokines, T helper 2 cytokines, and cell surface antigens in PMA/A23187-stimulated HMC-1 cells. We confirmed that these effects were associated with the inhibition of the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways by Wongam. The present study suggests that Wongam ameliorates mast-cell-mediated allergic inflammatory responses by reducing mast cell activation and may serve as an effective agent for the prevention and treatment of allergic inflammatory responses. Full article

The various species that comprise the genus Glycyrrhiza (Licorice) have long been used as oriental herbal medicines in Asian countries. Wongam (WG), which is a new variety of Glycyrrhiza, was developed in Korea to overcome the limitations of low productivity, environmental restrictions, and an insufficient presence of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritigenin. In this study, we evaluated WG extract’s genotoxicity through an in vitro bacterial reverse mutation (AMES) test, an in vitro chromosome aberration test, and an in vivo mouse bone marrow micronucleus test. In the AMES test, WG extract at concentrations of up to 5000 µg/plate showed no genotoxicity regardless of S9 mix. No chromosome aberrations appeared after 6 h in 1400 µg/mL WG extract regardless of S9 mix or in 1100 µg/mL WG extract after 24 h without S9 mix. Nor was there a significant increase in the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes to total erythrocytes up to 5000 mg/kg/day for 2 days detected in the micronucleus test. These results confirm that WG extract is safe for use as an herbal medicine, as it precipitates no detectable genotoxic effects. Full article

Melanin is a brown or black pigment that protects skin from ultraviolet radiation and reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, overproduction of melanin is associated with lentigines, melasma, freckles and skin cancer. Licorice has shown antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-platelet, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities and is used as a natural treatment for skin whitening. We aimed to confirm the potential of Wongam, a new cultivar of licorice developed by the Rural Development Administration (RDA), as a whitening agent in cosmetics. In addition, we verified the effect of heat treatment on the bioactivity of licorice by comparing antioxidant and anti-melanogenic activities of licorice extract before and after heating (130 °C). The heat-treated licorice extract (WH-130) showed higher radical-scavenging activities in the ABTS⁺ (2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assays. In addition, WH-130 inhibited melanogenesis more effectively due to downregulation of tyrosinase in B16F10 melanoma cells than non-heated licorice extract. Moreover, heat treatment increased total phenolic content. In particular, isoliquiritigenin, an antioxidant and anti-melanogenic compound of licorice, was produced by heat treatment. In conclusion, WH-130, with increased levels of bioactive phenolics such as isoliquiritigenin, has potential for development into a novel skin whitening material with applications in cosmetics. Full article

The Glycyrrhiza radix (Licorice) is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in Asian countries, such as China, India, and Korea. It has been traditionally used to treat many diseases, including cough, cold, asthma, fatigue, gastritis, and respiratory tract infections. A Glycyrrhiza new variety, Wongam (WG), has been developed by the Korea Rural Development Administration and revealed pharmacological effects. However, the potential adverse effects of WG have not been revealed yet. This study evaluates the general toxicity of the WG extract through a single and repeated oral dose toxicity study in Sprague-Dawley rats. After single oral dose administration, no significant toxicological changes or mortality was observed up to 5000 mg/kg. Over a 4-week repeated oral dose toxicity study, no adverse effects and target organs were observed up to 5000 mg/kg/day. Over a 13-week repeated oral dose toxicity study, no mortality or toxicological changes involving ophthalmology, water consumption, or hematology were observed up to 5000 mg/kg/day. Although other parameters were changed, the alterations in question were not considered toxicologically significant, since responses remained within normal ranges and were not dose-dependent. In conclusion, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of WG was higher than 5000 mg/kg/day, and no target organs were identified in rats. Full article

Glycyrrhizae radix (GR), a plant commonly referred to as licorice, is used as a medicine and food worldwide. However, the utilization of GR from wild areas has caused desertification and a depletion of natural resources. Environmental restrictions and low productivity have limited plant cultivation. For this reason, an improved Glycyrrhiza variety, Wongam (WG), in cultivation and quality has been developed by Korea Rural Development Administration. To evaluate the equivalence of efficacy, several comparative studies between already-registered species and new cultivars have been conducted. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of WG extracts in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model, in comparison to that of GR extracts. WG extract significantly improved the clinical signs of DSS-induced ulcerative colitis, including disease activity index, body weight loss, and colon length shortening, which was equivalent to the effect of GR. Furthermore, the fecal microbiota was analyzed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism. The composition of the fecal microbiota did not show a specific pattern based on experimental groups; however, a tendency toward an increase in the proportion of Lactobacillales was observed. These findings showed an equivalence of efficacy and the possible utilization of WG as a medicinal resource with already-registered species. Full article