BACKGROUND Acetaminophen overdose is the most frequent cause of drug-induced liver failure in developed countries.Substantial progress has been made in understanding the mechanism of hepatocellular injury,but N-acetyl...BACKGROUND Acetaminophen overdose is the most frequent cause of drug-induced liver failure in developed countries.Substantial progress has been made in understanding the mechanism of hepatocellular injury,but N-acetylcysteine remains the only effective treatment despite its short therapeutic window.Thus,other hepatoprotective drugs are needed for the delayed treatment of acetaminopheninduced hepatotoxicity.Our interest focused on glycyrrhizin for its role as an inhibitor of high mobility group box 1(HMGB1)protein,a member of the family of damage-associated molecular pattern,known to play an important pathological role in various diseases.AIM To investigate the efficacy of the N-acetylcysteine/glycyrrhizin combination compared to N-acetylcysteine alone in the prevention of liver toxicity.METHODS Eight-week-old C57BL/6J wild-type female mice were used for all our experiments.Mice fasted for 15 h were treated with acetaminophen(500 mg/kg)or vehicle(phosphate-buffered saline)by intraperitoneal injection and separated into the following groups:Glycyrrhizin(200 mg/kg);N-acetylcysteine(150 mg/kg);and N-acetylcysteine/glycyrrhizin.In all groups,mice were sacrificed 12 h following acetaminophen administration.The assessment of hepatotoxicity was performed by measuring plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase.Hepatotoxicity was also evaluated by histological examination of hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissues sections.Survival rates were compared between various groups using Kaplan-Meier curves.RESULTS Consistent with data published in the literature,we confirmed that intraperitoneal administration of acetaminophen(500 mg/kg)in mice induced severe liver injury as evidenced by increases in alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase but also by liver necrosis score.Glycyrrhizin administration was shown to reduce the release of HMGB1 and significantly decreased the severity of liver injury.Thus,the co-administration of glycyrrhizin and N-acetylcysteine was investigated.Administered concomitantly with acetaminophen,the combination significantly reduced the severity of liver injury.Delayed administration of the combination of drugs,2 h or 6 h after acetaminophen,also induced a significant decrease in hepatocyte necrosis compared to mice treated with N-acetylcysteine alone.In addition,administration of N-acetylcysteine/glycyrrhizin combination was associated with an improved survival rate compared to mice treated with only N-acetylcysteine.CONCLUSION We demonstrate that,compared to N-acetylcysteine alone,co-administration of glycyrrhizin decreases the liver necrosis score and improves survival in a murine model of acetaminophen-induced liver injury.Our study opens a potential new therapeutic pathway in the prevention of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity.展开更多
AIM:To examine the efficacy of glycyrrhizin preparation(GL-p) in the treatment of a rat model of ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS:Experimental colitis was induced by oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate.Rats wi...AIM:To examine the efficacy of glycyrrhizin preparation(GL-p) in the treatment of a rat model of ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS:Experimental colitis was induced by oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate.Rats with colitis were intrarectally administered GL-p or saline.The extent of colitis was evaluated based on body weight gain,colon wet weight,and macroscopic damage score.The expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the inflamed mucosa were measured by cytokine antibody array analysis.The effect of GL-p on myeloperoxidase(MPO) activity in the inflamed mucosa and purified enzyme was assayed.RESULTS:GL-p treatment significantly ameliorated the extent of colitis compared to sham treatment with saline.Cytokine antibody array analysis showed that GL-p treatment significantly decreased the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines,including interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-α,cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-2,and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in the inflamed mucosa.Furthermore,GL-p inhibited the oxidative activity of mucosal and purified MPO.CONCLUSION:GL-p enema has a therapeutic effect on experimental colitis in rats and may be useful in the treatment of UC.展开更多
AIM： To examine how High-mobility group box I （HMGB1） regulates hepatocyte apoptosis and, furthermore, to determine whether glycyrrhizin （GL）, a known HMGB1 inhibitor, prevents HMGBl-induced hepatocyte apoptosis.
Objective:To observe effect of alprostadil combined with Diammonium glycyrrhizinate on renal interstitial fibrosis in SD rate.Methods:A total of 75 SD rate were randomly divided into A,B,C,D,E groups with 15 in each g...Objective:To observe effect of alprostadil combined with Diammonium glycyrrhizinate on renal interstitial fibrosis in SD rate.Methods:A total of 75 SD rate were randomly divided into A,B,C,D,E groups with 15 in each group.Rats in group A served as the control group received just only but tissue separation without modeling operation,while model of unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO) was established in B,C,D,E groups.Rats in A,B group were given saline lavage placebo treatment,while rats in C,D,E groups were given dianunonium glycyrrhizinate and alprostadil injection.Five rats were sacrificed 1,2,3 weeks after modeling,serum creatinine level of femoral venous blood was determined.Transforming growth factor- β1(TCF- β1) and concentration of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF) were also detected by using ELISA.Line renal interstitial tissue was taken after HE staining,renal interstitial TGF- β1 and CTGF expression were detected by using immunohistochemical method.Results:Serum creatinine levels of B,C,D,E group at different time points in were significantly higher than that of group A(P<0.05);serum creatinine levels in group B were significantly higher than that of C,D,E group at each time point(P<0.05).Serum creatinine level of Croup E was significantly lower than C,D group after 2,3 weeks(P<0.05).Rate in A group at each time point showed no significant changes in TGF- β1 and CREA concentration in serum and kidney tissues(P>0.05);while serum and kidney tissue TGF- β1,concentration of CREA.expression of rats in B,C,D,E groups showed a gradual increasing trend over time.TCF- β1 and CREF of Group B in serum and kidney tissues at each time point were significantly higher than that of the other groups(P<0.05).TCF- β1 and CREF of Group E in serum and kidney tissues at each time point were significantly lower than that of B,C,D group at all time points in serum and kidney tissues(P<0.05).Conclusions:Alprostadil combined with diammonium glycyrrhizinate can significantly lower the expression of TGF- β1 and CTGF in serum and tissues of SD rat with renal interstitial fibrosis,thus inhibit rat renal interstitial fibrosis process.It has synergy protective effect.展开更多
AIM： To explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate in a rat model of ulcerative colitis induced by acetic acid. METHODS： Spragur-Dawley female rats were divided into four groups： Diammoni...AIM： To explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate in a rat model of ulcerative colitis induced by acetic acid. METHODS： Spragur-Dawley female rats were divided into four groups： Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate group, dexamethasone group, acetic acid control and normal control group. Colonic inflammation was evaluated by disease activity index, gross morphologic damage, histological injury and colonic myeloperoxidase activity. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of NF-κB, TNF-α and ICAM-1 in colonic mucosa. RESULTS： Compared to the acetic acid control, both Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate and dexamethasone showed a significant anti-inflammatory effect （P 〈 0.01）. The expression of NF-κB, TNF-α and ICAM-1 in colonic mucosa was significantly lower in the Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate group and dexamethasone group than in the acetic acid group. CONCLUSION： Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate could reduce inflammatory injury in a rat model of ulcerative colitis. This may occur via suppression of NF-κB, TNF-αand ICAM-1 in colonic mucosa.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the effects of diammonium glycyrrhizinate(Gly)on portal hypertension(PHT)in isolated portal perfused rat liver(IPPRL)with carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)-induced chronic hepatitis.METHODS:PHT model was r...AIM:To investigate the effects of diammonium glycyrrhizinate(Gly)on portal hypertension(PHT)in isolated portal perfused rat liver(IPPRL)with carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)-induced chronic hepatitis.METHODS:PHT model was replicated with CCl4 in rats for 84 d.Model was identified by measuring the ascetic amounts,hepatic function,portal pressure in vivo,splenic index,and pathological alterations.Inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)in liver was assessed by immunohistochemistry.IPPRLs were performed at d0,d28,d56,and d84.After phenylephrine-induced constriction,Gly was geometrically used to reduce PHT.Gly action was expressed as median effective concentration(EC50)and area under the curve(AUC).Underlying mechanism was exploited by linear correlation between AUC values of Gly and existed iNOS in portal triads.RESULTS:PHT model was confirmed with ascites,splenomegaly,serum biomarkers of hepatic injury,and elevated portal pressure.Pathological findings had shown normal hepatic structure at d0,degenerations at d28,fibrosis at d56,cirrhosis at d84in PHT rats.Pseudo lobule ratios decreased and collagen ratios increased progressively along with PHT development.Gly does dose-dependently reduce PHT in IPPRLs with CCl4-induced chronic hepatitis.Gly potencies were increased gradually along with PHT development,characterized with its EC50at 2.80×10-10,3.03×10-11,3.77×10-11and 4.65×10-11mol/L at d0,d28,d56and d84,respectively.Existed iNOS was located at hepatocyte at d0,stellate cells at d28,stellate cells and macrophages at d56,and macrophages in portal triads at d84.Macrophages infiltrated more into portal triads and expressed more iNOS along with PHT development.AUC values of Gly were positively correlated with existed iNOS levels in portal triads.CONCLUSION:Gly reduces indirectly PHT in IPPRL with CCl4-induced chronic hepatitis.The underlying mechanisms may relate to rescue NO bioavailability from macrophage-derived peroxynitrite in portal triads.展开更多
Sea cucumbers, Apostichopus japonicus Selenka, were fed diets containing non-immunostimulant (basal diet), 0.2% β-glucan and 0.02% glycyrrhizin in a recirculatory water system for 45 days, and subsequently challenged...Sea cucumbers, Apostichopus japonicus Selenka, were fed diets containing non-immunostimulant (basal diet), 0.2% β-glucan and 0.02% glycyrrhizin in a recirculatory water system for 45 days, and subsequently challenged with Vibrio splendidus by injection at 1.0×108 cfu/sea cucumber for 15 days.Phagocytic capacity (PC), intracellular superoxide anion production (ISAP), ly-sozyme (LSZ) activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the coelomic fluid were analyzed on the 0th, 5th, 10th and 15th days after injection.Results showed that after the 45-day feeding period, PC, ISAP, LSZ activity and SOD activity in sea cucumbers fed with dietary β-glucan or glycyrrhizin were significantly higher than in those fed with the basal diet.On the 5th day after infection, all the immune parameters examined in the sea cucumbers injected with V.splendidus decreased in value significantly.On the 15th day, PC, ISAP and LSZ activity returned to levels similar to those on the 0th day.For the sea cucumbers injected with saline, there were no significant differences in all the immune parameters examined and in the cumulative morbidity during the 15-day challenging trial.After injecting with V.splendidus, the cumulative morbidity of sea cucumbers fed with the basal diet was significantly higher than those fed with dietary β-glucan or glycyrrhizin when challenged with V.splendidus challenged sea cucumber fed with the basal diet was significantly higher than those fed with dietary β-glucan or glycyrrhizin.There was no significant difference in cumulative morbidity between the dietary β-glucan and glycyrrhizin treatments over time.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the uptake difference between bovine serum albumin nanoparticle (BSA-NP) and bovine serum albumin nanoparticles with their surface modified byglycyrrhizin (BSA-NP-GL) and to develop a novel hepatoc...AIM: To investigate the uptake difference between bovine serum albumin nanoparticle (BSA-NP) and bovine serum albumin nanoparticles with their surface modified byglycyrrhizin (BSA-NP-GL) and to develop a novel hepatocyte targeting BSA-NP-GL based on active targeting technology mediated by specific binding site of GL on rat cellular membrane. METHODS: Calcein loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (Cal-BSA-NP) were prepared by desolvation process. Glycyrrhizin was conjugated to the surface reactive amino groups (SRAG) of Cal-BSA-NP by sodium periodate oxidization, which resulted in calcein-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles with their surface modified by glycyrrhizin (Cal-BSA-NP-GL). The morphology of the two types of prepared nanoparticles (NP) was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The diameter of NP was measured with a laser particle size analyzer. The interaction between Cal-BSA-NP-GL and primary cultured hepatocytes was studied through cellular uptake experiments. The uptake amount of Cal-BSA-NPGL and Cal-BSA-NP by rat hepatocytes was determinedby fluorospectrophotometry. Uptake characteristics were investigated through experiments of competitive inhibition of specific binding site of GL. RESULTS: Both Cal-BSA-NP-GL and Cal-BSA-NP had regular spherical surfaces. The average diameter of CalBSA-NP-GL and Cal-BSA-NP was 77 and 79 nm respectively. The uptake amount of the two NP by hepatocytes reached its maximum at 2 h after incubation. The uptake amount of Cal-BSA-NP-GL by rat hepatocytes was 4.43-fold higher than that of Cal-BSA-NP. There was a significant difference in the uptake of Cal-BSA-NP-GL and Cal-BSA-NP by hepatocytes (P＜0.01). The uptake of Cal-BSA-NP-GL was inhibited when GL was added previously to isolated rat hepatocytes, and the uptake of Cal-BSA-NP was not affected by GL.CONCLUSION: A binding site of GL is present on the surface of rat hepatocytes, BSA-NP-GL may be internalized via this site by hepatocytes and can be used as a drug carrier for active targeting of delivery drugs to hepatocytes.展开更多
A six-week growth trial was conducted to compare the effects of different feeding strate- gies of dietary immunostimulants on the growth and immunity of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei （4.70 ±0.20g）. Shrimps ...A six-week growth trial was conducted to compare the effects of different feeding strate- gies of dietary immunostimulants on the growth and immunity of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei （4.70 ±0.20g）. Shrimps were fed with diet containing glycyrrhizin continuously, containing β -glucan continuously, discontinuously （seven days with diet containing β -gluseven days with diet without -glucan; two days with diet containing β-glucan following five days with diet without -glucan）,展开更多
Compound glycyrrhizin tablets(CGT)is a glycyrrhizin-containing preparation for the treatment of chronic hepatic diseases,it contained Glycyrrhizin,Monoammonium Glycyrrhizinate,Aminoacetic Acid and Methionine.CGT has b...Compound glycyrrhizin tablets(CGT)is a glycyrrhizin-containing preparation for the treatment of chronic hepatic diseases,it contained Glycyrrhizin,Monoammonium Glycyrrhizinate,Aminoacetic Acid and Methionine.CGT has been shown to have anti-inflammatory,anti-oxidative,and anti-viral effects.Although pseudo-hyperaldosteronism was reported as its important side effects,the frequency was unknown.A 59-year-old male patient with tuberculous pleurisy received CGT to prevent impairment in liver function which was caused by antituberculosis drugs.After more than one month,it appeared edema in the lower extremity,blood pressure increased,serum potassium lowed,serum sodium raised at the normal high limit.Finally,it was improved by suspending the CGT and diuretic treatment.展开更多
Objective:To investigate influence of Compound Glycyrrhizin on liver functions, liver fibrosis indexes and inflammatory factors of patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods:A total of 96 cases of patients with chronic...Objective:To investigate influence of Compound Glycyrrhizin on liver functions, liver fibrosis indexes and inflammatory factors of patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods:A total of 96 cases of patients with chronic hepatitis B treated in our hospital from Jan2015 to Jun2016 were selected as subjects, and randomly divided to be 48 cases of observation group and 48 cases of control group. Patients in both of the two groups were received routine liver protecting drug treatment. For observation group, Compound Glycyrrhizin injection was given on the basis of routine treatment. Variations of liver function indexes, liver fibrosis indexes and inflammatory factors between the two groups before and after treatment were compared and observed.Results:No obvious difference showed on AST, ALT, ALB TBIL levels between two groups of patients before treatment;After treatment, AST, ALT, TBIL in two groups of patients were significantly decreased, ALB were significantly increased. Significant difference showed comparing with prior treatment;After treatment, AST, ALT and TBIL levels in observation group were (29.53±9.44) U/L, (32.36±10.93) U/L and (10.12±3.22) μmol/L, which were significantly lower than in control group. ALB levels in observation group were (43.57±12.42) g/L, which were significantly higher than ALB levels in control group. Before treatment, no statistical difference showed on HA, LN, IV-C and PCIII levels between two groups of patients. After treatment, HA, LN, IV-C and PCIII in two groups of patients were significantly decreased, which showed significant difference comparing with prior treatment;After treatment, HA, LN, IV-C and PCIII levels in observation group were (97.33±31.75) μg/L, (77.52±23.72) μg/L, (82.92±24.55) μg/L, (15.33±5.11) μg/L, which were significantly lower than in control group. Before treatment, no significant difference showed on IL-2, IL-6 and TNF- levels between two groups of patients;After treatment, IL-2 levels in two groups of patients were significantly increased, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly decreased, the differences showed significance;After treatment, IL-2 levels in observation group were (131.48±30.63) U/mL, which were higher than IL-2 levels in control group. IL-6 and TNF-αlevels in observation group were (45.23±16.45) μg/L, (41.75±17.53) ng/L, which were lower than IL-6 and TNF-α levels in control group, differences showed significance.Conclusion:Compound Glycyrrhizin could effectively release liver fibrosis and inflammatory reactions for patients with chronic hepatitis B, and could further improve liver functions.展开更多
Objective To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of glycyrrhizin(GL) on vascular dementia(VaD) in vivo and Glutamate-induced damage in vitro.Methods Male Wistar rats were subjected to permanent occlusion of the bilat...Objective To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of glycyrrhizin(GL) on vascular dementia(VaD) in vivo and Glutamate-induced damage in vitro.Methods Male Wistar rats were subjected to permanent occlusion of the bilateral common carotid arteries.On d 15 postsurgery,rat cognition was assessed using the Morris water maze.The activity of superoxide dismutase and the content of malondialdehyde of brains were also measured.Brain damage was evaluated histologically using HE staining.In vitro cell viability was examined in PC12 cells exposed to Glutamate,and mRNA levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were assessed.Results GL(20 mg/kg for 12 d) improved the performance of learning and memory of VaD rats,decreased the level of lipid peroxidation,and attenuated the pathological alterations in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas.Moreover,GL(0.6 mmol/L) could protect PC12 cell lines from injury induced by Glutamate(10 mmol/L) and inhibit apoptosis of neuronal cells.Conclusion The present findings suggest that GL may have therapeutic potential in treating VaD.展开更多
Objective： To investigate the effects of Compound Glycyrrhizin Injection （CGI） on liver function and cellular immunity of children with infectious mononucleosis complicated liver impairment （IM-LI） and to explore...Objective： To investigate the effects of Compound Glycyrrhizin Injection （CGI） on liver function and cellular immunity of children with infectious mononucleosis complicated liver impairment （IM-LI） and to explore its clinical therapeutic effect. Methods： Forty-two patients with IM-LI were randomly assigned, according to the randomizing number table, to two groups, 20 in the control group and 22 in the treated group. All the patients were treated with conventional treatment, but to those in the treated group, CGI was given additionally once a day, at the dosage of 10 ml for children aged below 2 years, 20 ml for 2-4 years old, 30 ml for 5-7 years old and 40 ml for 8- 12 years old, in 100-200 ml of 5% glucose solution by intravenous dripping. The treatment lasted for 2 weeks. T lymphocyte subsets and serum levels of alanine transaminase （ALT）, aspartate aminotransferase （AST） and total bilirubin （TBil） were detected before and after treatment. Besides, a normal control group consisting of 20 healthy children was also set up. Results： Baseline of the percentage of CD3^＋ , CD8^＋ lymphocyte and serum levels of ALT, AST, TBiL in the children with IM-LI were markedly higher, while the percentage of CD 4^＋ lymphocyte and the CD4^＋/CD8^＋ ratio was markedly lower in IM-LI children as compared with the corresponding indices in the healthy children （ P〈0.01 ）. These indices were improved after treatment in both groups of patients, but the improvement in the treated group was better than that in the control group （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Cellular immunity dysfunction often occurs in patients with IM-LI, and CGI treatment can not only obviously promote the recovery of liver function, but also regulate the immune function in organism.展开更多
Objective： To observe the efficacy and safety of total glucosides of paeony capsule （TGPC） in patients with mild and moderate alopecia areata. Methods： A total of 86 outpatients were randomly allocated into two gr...Objective： To observe the efficacy and safety of total glucosides of paeony capsule （TGPC） in patients with mild and moderate alopecia areata. Methods： A total of 86 outpatients were randomly allocated into two groups of TGPC （treatment, 44 cases） and compound glycyrrhizin tablet （control, 42 cases）. The treatment group was given oral TGPC, three times daily and 600 mg per time; the control group was given oral compound glycyrrhizin tablets, three times daily and 50 mg per time. In addition, both groups were given 10 mg of vitamin B2 and tapped the bold patches with massage. The treatment course was three months for both groups. Peripheral blood T-cell subsets （CD3^＋CD4^＋, CD3^＋CD8^＋, Th, Ts, Th/Ts） of 10 patients randomly selected from each group respectively were tested before and after three months of treatment. The effectiveness and adverse reaction of all cases were observed each month. The safety was evaluated according to the incidence rate of adverse reaction. Results： In the treatment group, the cured and markedly effective rate was 36.36% （16/44）, 50.00% （22/44） and 68.18% （30/44） at the end of first, second and third month of treatment, respectively, and the incidence rate of adverse reaction was 13.64% （6/44）. In the control group, the cured and markedly effective rate was 38.10% （16/42）, 57.14% （24/42） and 71.43% （30/42）, respectively, and the incidence rate of adverse reaction was 16.67% （7/42）. The cured and markedly effective rate and the incidence rate of adverse reaction were similar in both groups （P〉0.05）. TGPC and compound glycyrrhizin tablet can inhibit CD3^＋CD4^＋ and CD3^＋CD8^＋, and decrease the ratio of Th/Ts （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： TGPC is effective and safe in the treatment of alopecia areata.展开更多
Background Cyclosporine A （CsA） has been widely used in the treatment of aplastic anemia （AA）, but the application of CsA was limited in patients who had liver diseases or abnormal liver function due to its liver ...Background Cyclosporine A （CsA） has been widely used in the treatment of aplastic anemia （AA）, but the application of CsA was limited in patients who had liver diseases or abnormal liver function due to its liver toxicity. Glycyrrhizin has long been used in China in the treatment of various liver diseases to lower transaminases. In this study, we observed the efficacy and safety of glycyrrhizic acid combined with CsA in the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with non-severe AA （NSAA）. Methods A total number of 76 patients with newly diagnosed NSAA were enrolled into the study at our hospital between July 2005 and June 2010. The patients were divided randomly into two groups： the glycyrrhizin-treatment group （group A） and the control group （group B） with 38 patients in each group. All patients received 3-5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 CsA for at least 4 months and were treated either with or without glycyrrhizin for 4 months. Results sixty-eight patients were eligible for evaluation. In the control group, 9.09% patients （n=3） achieved a complete response while 51.52% （n=17） attained a partial response. The overall response rate was 60.61% （n=20）. The remaining 13 patients （39：39%） did not have any response. In the glycyrrhizin-treatment group, complete response rate was 20% （n=7） and partial response rate was 62.86% （n=22）. The overall response rate was 82.86% （n=29） and the non-response rate was 17.14% （n=6）. Response rate was significantly increased with the addition of glycyrrhizin to CsA compared with CsA alone （P〈0.05）. Conclusion The combination of glycyrrhizin and cyclosporine regimen was an effective treatment for NSAA in terms of improvement of response rate, reduction in CsA-related liver injury, and attenuation of severity of nausea and other adverse events in the treatment of patients with NSAA.展开更多
Glycyrrhizin(GL)and Glycyrrhetic Acid 3-O-mono-β-D-glucuronide(GAMG)are the typical triterpenoid glycosides found in the root of licorice,a popular medicinal plant that exhibits diverse physiological effects and phar...Glycyrrhizin(GL)and Glycyrrhetic Acid 3-O-mono-β-D-glucuronide(GAMG)are the typical triterpenoid glycosides found in the root of licorice,a popular medicinal plant that exhibits diverse physiological effects and pharmacological manifestations.However,only few reports are available on the glycosylation enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of these valuable compounds with low conversion yield so far.In mammals,glycosyltransferases are involved in the phase II metabolism and may provide new solutions for us to engineer microbial strains to produce high valued compounds due to the substrate promiscuity of these glycosyltransferases.In this study,we mined the genomic databases of mammals and evaluated 22 candidate genes of O-glycosyltransferases by analyzing their catalytic potential for O-glycosylation of the native substrate,glycyrrhetinic acid(GA)for its glycodiversification.Out of 22 selected glycosyltransferases,only UGT1A1 exhibited high catalytic performance for biosynthesis of the key licorice compounds GL and GAMG.Molecular docking results proposed that the enzymatic activity of UGT1A1 was likely owing to the stable hydrogen bonding interactions and favorite conformations between the amino acid residues around substrate channels(P82~R85)and substrates.Furthermore,the complete biosynthesis pathway of GL was reconstructed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the first time,resulting in the production of 5.98±0.47 mg/L and 2.31±0.21 mg/L of GL and GAMG,respectively.展开更多
基金Supported by the Bourse du Conseil Médical de l’hôpital Erasme,Fonds E.et S.Jacobs and Novartis GrantThe CMMI is supported by the European Regional Development Fund and Wallonia
文摘BACKGROUND Acetaminophen overdose is the most frequent cause of drug-induced liver failure in developed countries.Substantial progress has been made in understanding the mechanism of hepatocellular injury,but N-acetylcysteine remains the only effective treatment despite its short therapeutic window.Thus,other hepatoprotective drugs are needed for the delayed treatment of acetaminopheninduced hepatotoxicity.Our interest focused on glycyrrhizin for its role as an inhibitor of high mobility group box 1(HMGB1)protein,a member of the family of damage-associated molecular pattern,known to play an important pathological role in various diseases.AIM To investigate the efficacy of the N-acetylcysteine/glycyrrhizin combination compared to N-acetylcysteine alone in the prevention of liver toxicity.METHODS Eight-week-old C57BL/6J wild-type female mice were used for all our experiments.Mice fasted for 15 h were treated with acetaminophen(500 mg/kg)or vehicle(phosphate-buffered saline)by intraperitoneal injection and separated into the following groups:Glycyrrhizin(200 mg/kg);N-acetylcysteine(150 mg/kg);and N-acetylcysteine/glycyrrhizin.In all groups,mice were sacrificed 12 h following acetaminophen administration.The assessment of hepatotoxicity was performed by measuring plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase.Hepatotoxicity was also evaluated by histological examination of hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissues sections.Survival rates were compared between various groups using Kaplan-Meier curves.RESULTS Consistent with data published in the literature,we confirmed that intraperitoneal administration of acetaminophen(500 mg/kg)in mice induced severe liver injury as evidenced by increases in alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase but also by liver necrosis score.Glycyrrhizin administration was shown to reduce the release of HMGB1 and significantly decreased the severity of liver injury.Thus,the co-administration of glycyrrhizin and N-acetylcysteine was investigated.Administered concomitantly with acetaminophen,the combination significantly reduced the severity of liver injury.Delayed administration of the combination of drugs,2 h or 6 h after acetaminophen,also induced a significant decrease in hepatocyte necrosis compared to mice treated with N-acetylcysteine alone.In addition,administration of N-acetylcysteine/glycyrrhizin combination was associated with an improved survival rate compared to mice treated with only N-acetylcysteine.CONCLUSION We demonstrate that,compared to N-acetylcysteine alone,co-administration of glycyrrhizin decreases the liver necrosis score and improves survival in a murine model of acetaminophen-induced liver injury.Our study opens a potential new therapeutic pathway in the prevention of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity.
文摘AIM:To examine the efficacy of glycyrrhizin preparation(GL-p) in the treatment of a rat model of ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS:Experimental colitis was induced by oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate.Rats with colitis were intrarectally administered GL-p or saline.The extent of colitis was evaluated based on body weight gain,colon wet weight,and macroscopic damage score.The expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the inflamed mucosa were measured by cytokine antibody array analysis.The effect of GL-p on myeloperoxidase(MPO) activity in the inflamed mucosa and purified enzyme was assayed.RESULTS:GL-p treatment significantly ameliorated the extent of colitis compared to sham treatment with saline.Cytokine antibody array analysis showed that GL-p treatment significantly decreased the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines,including interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-α,cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-2,and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in the inflamed mucosa.Furthermore,GL-p inhibited the oxidative activity of mucosal and purified MPO.CONCLUSION:GL-p enema has a therapeutic effect on experimental colitis in rats and may be useful in the treatment of UC.
基金Supported by Samsung Biomedical Research Institute grant,No.SBRI C-A8-219-1
文摘AIM： To examine how High-mobility group box I （HMGB1） regulates hepatocyte apoptosis and, furthermore, to determine whether glycyrrhizin （GL）, a known HMGB1 inhibitor, prevents HMGBl-induced hepatocyte apoptosis.
基金supported by Yantai Science and Technology Development Projects(2008142-19)
文摘Objective:To observe effect of alprostadil combined with Diammonium glycyrrhizinate on renal interstitial fibrosis in SD rate.Methods:A total of 75 SD rate were randomly divided into A,B,C,D,E groups with 15 in each group.Rats in group A served as the control group received just only but tissue separation without modeling operation,while model of unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO) was established in B,C,D,E groups.Rats in A,B group were given saline lavage placebo treatment,while rats in C,D,E groups were given dianunonium glycyrrhizinate and alprostadil injection.Five rats were sacrificed 1,2,3 weeks after modeling,serum creatinine level of femoral venous blood was determined.Transforming growth factor- β1(TCF- β1) and concentration of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF) were also detected by using ELISA.Line renal interstitial tissue was taken after HE staining,renal interstitial TGF- β1 and CTGF expression were detected by using immunohistochemical method.Results:Serum creatinine levels of B,C,D,E group at different time points in were significantly higher than that of group A(P<0.05);serum creatinine levels in group B were significantly higher than that of C,D,E group at each time point(P<0.05).Serum creatinine level of Croup E was significantly lower than C,D group after 2,3 weeks(P<0.05).Rate in A group at each time point showed no significant changes in TGF- β1 and CREA concentration in serum and kidney tissues(P>0.05);while serum and kidney tissue TGF- β1,concentration of CREA.expression of rats in B,C,D,E groups showed a gradual increasing trend over time.TCF- β1 and CREF of Group B in serum and kidney tissues at each time point were significantly higher than that of the other groups(P<0.05).TCF- β1 and CREF of Group E in serum and kidney tissues at each time point were significantly lower than that of B,C,D group at all time points in serum and kidney tissues(P<0.05).Conclusions:Alprostadil combined with diammonium glycyrrhizinate can significantly lower the expression of TGF- β1 and CTGF in serum and tissues of SD rat with renal interstitial fibrosis,thus inhibit rat renal interstitial fibrosis process.It has synergy protective effect.
基金Supported by the Health Ministry of Shandong Province, No. 2005HW147
文摘AIM： To explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate in a rat model of ulcerative colitis induced by acetic acid. METHODS： Spragur-Dawley female rats were divided into four groups： Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate group, dexamethasone group, acetic acid control and normal control group. Colonic inflammation was evaluated by disease activity index, gross morphologic damage, histological injury and colonic myeloperoxidase activity. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of NF-κB, TNF-α and ICAM-1 in colonic mucosa. RESULTS： Compared to the acetic acid control, both Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate and dexamethasone showed a significant anti-inflammatory effect （P 〈 0.01）. The expression of NF-κB, TNF-α and ICAM-1 in colonic mucosa was significantly lower in the Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate group and dexamethasone group than in the acetic acid group. CONCLUSION： Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate could reduce inflammatory injury in a rat model of ulcerative colitis. This may occur via suppression of NF-κB, TNF-αand ICAM-1 in colonic mucosa.
基金Supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30873464the Research Foundation from Ministry of Education of China,No.108019the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing,China,No.7132150
文摘AIM:To investigate the effects of diammonium glycyrrhizinate(Gly)on portal hypertension(PHT)in isolated portal perfused rat liver(IPPRL)with carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)-induced chronic hepatitis.METHODS:PHT model was replicated with CCl4 in rats for 84 d.Model was identified by measuring the ascetic amounts,hepatic function,portal pressure in vivo,splenic index,and pathological alterations.Inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)in liver was assessed by immunohistochemistry.IPPRLs were performed at d0,d28,d56,and d84.After phenylephrine-induced constriction,Gly was geometrically used to reduce PHT.Gly action was expressed as median effective concentration(EC50)and area under the curve(AUC).Underlying mechanism was exploited by linear correlation between AUC values of Gly and existed iNOS in portal triads.RESULTS:PHT model was confirmed with ascites,splenomegaly,serum biomarkers of hepatic injury,and elevated portal pressure.Pathological findings had shown normal hepatic structure at d0,degenerations at d28,fibrosis at d56,cirrhosis at d84in PHT rats.Pseudo lobule ratios decreased and collagen ratios increased progressively along with PHT development.Gly does dose-dependently reduce PHT in IPPRLs with CCl4-induced chronic hepatitis.Gly potencies were increased gradually along with PHT development,characterized with its EC50at 2.80×10-10,3.03×10-11,3.77×10-11and 4.65×10-11mol/L at d0,d28,d56and d84,respectively.Existed iNOS was located at hepatocyte at d0,stellate cells at d28,stellate cells and macrophages at d56,and macrophages in portal triads at d84.Macrophages infiltrated more into portal triads and expressed more iNOS along with PHT development.AUC values of Gly were positively correlated with existed iNOS levels in portal triads.CONCLUSION:Gly reduces indirectly PHT in IPPRL with CCl4-induced chronic hepatitis.The underlying mechanisms may relate to rescue NO bioavailability from macrophage-derived peroxynitrite in portal triads.
基金supported by grant No.2006AA100313 from the National High Technology Research and Development Project of P.R. China (863 Project)
文摘Sea cucumbers, Apostichopus japonicus Selenka, were fed diets containing non-immunostimulant (basal diet), 0.2% β-glucan and 0.02% glycyrrhizin in a recirculatory water system for 45 days, and subsequently challenged with Vibrio splendidus by injection at 1.0×108 cfu/sea cucumber for 15 days.Phagocytic capacity (PC), intracellular superoxide anion production (ISAP), ly-sozyme (LSZ) activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the coelomic fluid were analyzed on the 0th, 5th, 10th and 15th days after injection.Results showed that after the 45-day feeding period, PC, ISAP, LSZ activity and SOD activity in sea cucumbers fed with dietary β-glucan or glycyrrhizin were significantly higher than in those fed with the basal diet.On the 5th day after infection, all the immune parameters examined in the sea cucumbers injected with V.splendidus decreased in value significantly.On the 15th day, PC, ISAP and LSZ activity returned to levels similar to those on the 0th day.For the sea cucumbers injected with saline, there were no significant differences in all the immune parameters examined and in the cumulative morbidity during the 15-day challenging trial.After injecting with V.splendidus, the cumulative morbidity of sea cucumbers fed with the basal diet was significantly higher than those fed with dietary β-glucan or glycyrrhizin when challenged with V.splendidus challenged sea cucumber fed with the basal diet was significantly higher than those fed with dietary β-glucan or glycyrrhizin.There was no significant difference in cumulative morbidity between the dietary β-glucan and glycyrrhizin treatments over time.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No. 30271613
文摘AIM: To investigate the uptake difference between bovine serum albumin nanoparticle (BSA-NP) and bovine serum albumin nanoparticles with their surface modified byglycyrrhizin (BSA-NP-GL) and to develop a novel hepatocyte targeting BSA-NP-GL based on active targeting technology mediated by specific binding site of GL on rat cellular membrane. METHODS: Calcein loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (Cal-BSA-NP) were prepared by desolvation process. Glycyrrhizin was conjugated to the surface reactive amino groups (SRAG) of Cal-BSA-NP by sodium periodate oxidization, which resulted in calcein-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles with their surface modified by glycyrrhizin (Cal-BSA-NP-GL). The morphology of the two types of prepared nanoparticles (NP) was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The diameter of NP was measured with a laser particle size analyzer. The interaction between Cal-BSA-NP-GL and primary cultured hepatocytes was studied through cellular uptake experiments. The uptake amount of Cal-BSA-NPGL and Cal-BSA-NP by rat hepatocytes was determinedby fluorospectrophotometry. Uptake characteristics were investigated through experiments of competitive inhibition of specific binding site of GL. RESULTS: Both Cal-BSA-NP-GL and Cal-BSA-NP had regular spherical surfaces. The average diameter of CalBSA-NP-GL and Cal-BSA-NP was 77 and 79 nm respectively. The uptake amount of the two NP by hepatocytes reached its maximum at 2 h after incubation. The uptake amount of Cal-BSA-NP-GL by rat hepatocytes was 4.43-fold higher than that of Cal-BSA-NP. There was a significant difference in the uptake of Cal-BSA-NP-GL and Cal-BSA-NP by hepatocytes (P＜0.01). The uptake of Cal-BSA-NP-GL was inhibited when GL was added previously to isolated rat hepatocytes, and the uptake of Cal-BSA-NP was not affected by GL.CONCLUSION: A binding site of GL is present on the surface of rat hepatocytes, BSA-NP-GL may be internalized via this site by hepatocytes and can be used as a drug carrier for active targeting of delivery drugs to hepatocytes.
文摘A six-week growth trial was conducted to compare the effects of different feeding strate- gies of dietary immunostimulants on the growth and immunity of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei （4.70 ±0.20g）. Shrimps were fed with diet containing glycyrrhizin continuously, containing β -glucan continuously, discontinuously （seven days with diet containing β -gluseven days with diet without -glucan; two days with diet containing β-glucan following five days with diet without -glucan）,
文摘Compound glycyrrhizin tablets(CGT)is a glycyrrhizin-containing preparation for the treatment of chronic hepatic diseases,it contained Glycyrrhizin,Monoammonium Glycyrrhizinate,Aminoacetic Acid and Methionine.CGT has been shown to have anti-inflammatory,anti-oxidative,and anti-viral effects.Although pseudo-hyperaldosteronism was reported as its important side effects,the frequency was unknown.A 59-year-old male patient with tuberculous pleurisy received CGT to prevent impairment in liver function which was caused by antituberculosis drugs.After more than one month,it appeared edema in the lower extremity,blood pressure increased,serum potassium lowed,serum sodium raised at the normal high limit.Finally,it was improved by suspending the CGT and diuretic treatment.
文摘Objective:To investigate influence of Compound Glycyrrhizin on liver functions, liver fibrosis indexes and inflammatory factors of patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods:A total of 96 cases of patients with chronic hepatitis B treated in our hospital from Jan2015 to Jun2016 were selected as subjects, and randomly divided to be 48 cases of observation group and 48 cases of control group. Patients in both of the two groups were received routine liver protecting drug treatment. For observation group, Compound Glycyrrhizin injection was given on the basis of routine treatment. Variations of liver function indexes, liver fibrosis indexes and inflammatory factors between the two groups before and after treatment were compared and observed.Results:No obvious difference showed on AST, ALT, ALB TBIL levels between two groups of patients before treatment;After treatment, AST, ALT, TBIL in two groups of patients were significantly decreased, ALB were significantly increased. Significant difference showed comparing with prior treatment;After treatment, AST, ALT and TBIL levels in observation group were (29.53±9.44) U/L, (32.36±10.93) U/L and (10.12±3.22) μmol/L, which were significantly lower than in control group. ALB levels in observation group were (43.57±12.42) g/L, which were significantly higher than ALB levels in control group. Before treatment, no statistical difference showed on HA, LN, IV-C and PCIII levels between two groups of patients. After treatment, HA, LN, IV-C and PCIII in two groups of patients were significantly decreased, which showed significant difference comparing with prior treatment;After treatment, HA, LN, IV-C and PCIII levels in observation group were (97.33±31.75) μg/L, (77.52±23.72) μg/L, (82.92±24.55) μg/L, (15.33±5.11) μg/L, which were significantly lower than in control group. Before treatment, no significant difference showed on IL-2, IL-6 and TNF- levels between two groups of patients;After treatment, IL-2 levels in two groups of patients were significantly increased, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly decreased, the differences showed significance;After treatment, IL-2 levels in observation group were (131.48±30.63) U/mL, which were higher than IL-2 levels in control group. IL-6 and TNF-αlevels in observation group were (45.23±16.45) μg/L, (41.75±17.53) ng/L, which were lower than IL-6 and TNF-α levels in control group, differences showed significance.Conclusion:Compound Glycyrrhizin could effectively release liver fibrosis and inflammatory reactions for patients with chronic hepatitis B, and could further improve liver functions.
文摘Objective To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of glycyrrhizin(GL) on vascular dementia(VaD) in vivo and Glutamate-induced damage in vitro.Methods Male Wistar rats were subjected to permanent occlusion of the bilateral common carotid arteries.On d 15 postsurgery,rat cognition was assessed using the Morris water maze.The activity of superoxide dismutase and the content of malondialdehyde of brains were also measured.Brain damage was evaluated histologically using HE staining.In vitro cell viability was examined in PC12 cells exposed to Glutamate,and mRNA levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were assessed.Results GL(20 mg/kg for 12 d) improved the performance of learning and memory of VaD rats,decreased the level of lipid peroxidation,and attenuated the pathological alterations in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas.Moreover,GL(0.6 mmol/L) could protect PC12 cell lines from injury induced by Glutamate(10 mmol/L) and inhibit apoptosis of neuronal cells.Conclusion The present findings suggest that GL may have therapeutic potential in treating VaD.
文摘Objective： To investigate the effects of Compound Glycyrrhizin Injection （CGI） on liver function and cellular immunity of children with infectious mononucleosis complicated liver impairment （IM-LI） and to explore its clinical therapeutic effect. Methods： Forty-two patients with IM-LI were randomly assigned, according to the randomizing number table, to two groups, 20 in the control group and 22 in the treated group. All the patients were treated with conventional treatment, but to those in the treated group, CGI was given additionally once a day, at the dosage of 10 ml for children aged below 2 years, 20 ml for 2-4 years old, 30 ml for 5-7 years old and 40 ml for 8- 12 years old, in 100-200 ml of 5% glucose solution by intravenous dripping. The treatment lasted for 2 weeks. T lymphocyte subsets and serum levels of alanine transaminase （ALT）, aspartate aminotransferase （AST） and total bilirubin （TBil） were detected before and after treatment. Besides, a normal control group consisting of 20 healthy children was also set up. Results： Baseline of the percentage of CD3^＋ , CD8^＋ lymphocyte and serum levels of ALT, AST, TBiL in the children with IM-LI were markedly higher, while the percentage of CD 4^＋ lymphocyte and the CD4^＋/CD8^＋ ratio was markedly lower in IM-LI children as compared with the corresponding indices in the healthy children （ P〈0.01 ）. These indices were improved after treatment in both groups of patients, but the improvement in the treated group was better than that in the control group （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Cellular immunity dysfunction often occurs in patients with IM-LI, and CGI treatment can not only obviously promote the recovery of liver function, but also regulate the immune function in organism.
文摘Objective： To observe the efficacy and safety of total glucosides of paeony capsule （TGPC） in patients with mild and moderate alopecia areata. Methods： A total of 86 outpatients were randomly allocated into two groups of TGPC （treatment, 44 cases） and compound glycyrrhizin tablet （control, 42 cases）. The treatment group was given oral TGPC, three times daily and 600 mg per time; the control group was given oral compound glycyrrhizin tablets, three times daily and 50 mg per time. In addition, both groups were given 10 mg of vitamin B2 and tapped the bold patches with massage. The treatment course was three months for both groups. Peripheral blood T-cell subsets （CD3^＋CD4^＋, CD3^＋CD8^＋, Th, Ts, Th/Ts） of 10 patients randomly selected from each group respectively were tested before and after three months of treatment. The effectiveness and adverse reaction of all cases were observed each month. The safety was evaluated according to the incidence rate of adverse reaction. Results： In the treatment group, the cured and markedly effective rate was 36.36% （16/44）, 50.00% （22/44） and 68.18% （30/44） at the end of first, second and third month of treatment, respectively, and the incidence rate of adverse reaction was 13.64% （6/44）. In the control group, the cured and markedly effective rate was 38.10% （16/42）, 57.14% （24/42） and 71.43% （30/42）, respectively, and the incidence rate of adverse reaction was 16.67% （7/42）. The cured and markedly effective rate and the incidence rate of adverse reaction were similar in both groups （P〉0.05）. TGPC and compound glycyrrhizin tablet can inhibit CD3^＋CD4^＋ and CD3^＋CD8^＋, and decrease the ratio of Th/Ts （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： TGPC is effective and safe in the treatment of alopecia areata.
文摘Background Cyclosporine A （CsA） has been widely used in the treatment of aplastic anemia （AA）, but the application of CsA was limited in patients who had liver diseases or abnormal liver function due to its liver toxicity. Glycyrrhizin has long been used in China in the treatment of various liver diseases to lower transaminases. In this study, we observed the efficacy and safety of glycyrrhizic acid combined with CsA in the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with non-severe AA （NSAA）. Methods A total number of 76 patients with newly diagnosed NSAA were enrolled into the study at our hospital between July 2005 and June 2010. The patients were divided randomly into two groups： the glycyrrhizin-treatment group （group A） and the control group （group B） with 38 patients in each group. All patients received 3-5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 CsA for at least 4 months and were treated either with or without glycyrrhizin for 4 months. Results sixty-eight patients were eligible for evaluation. In the control group, 9.09% patients （n=3） achieved a complete response while 51.52% （n=17） attained a partial response. The overall response rate was 60.61% （n=20）. The remaining 13 patients （39：39%） did not have any response. In the glycyrrhizin-treatment group, complete response rate was 20% （n=7） and partial response rate was 62.86% （n=22）. The overall response rate was 82.86% （n=29） and the non-response rate was 17.14% （n=6）. Response rate was significantly increased with the addition of glycyrrhizin to CsA compared with CsA alone （P〈0.05）. Conclusion The combination of glycyrrhizin and cyclosporine regimen was an effective treatment for NSAA in terms of improvement of response rate, reduction in CsA-related liver injury, and attenuation of severity of nausea and other adverse events in the treatment of patients with NSAA.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2018YFA0901800)the Key Research and Development Program of Hebei Province(21374301D)+2 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22078171)the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province(No.C2019105055)the Scientific Research Foundation of Tangshan Normal University(No.2021B34).
文摘Glycyrrhizin(GL)and Glycyrrhetic Acid 3-O-mono-β-D-glucuronide(GAMG)are the typical triterpenoid glycosides found in the root of licorice,a popular medicinal plant that exhibits diverse physiological effects and pharmacological manifestations.However,only few reports are available on the glycosylation enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of these valuable compounds with low conversion yield so far.In mammals,glycosyltransferases are involved in the phase II metabolism and may provide new solutions for us to engineer microbial strains to produce high valued compounds due to the substrate promiscuity of these glycosyltransferases.In this study,we mined the genomic databases of mammals and evaluated 22 candidate genes of O-glycosyltransferases by analyzing their catalytic potential for O-glycosylation of the native substrate,glycyrrhetinic acid(GA)for its glycodiversification.Out of 22 selected glycosyltransferases,only UGT1A1 exhibited high catalytic performance for biosynthesis of the key licorice compounds GL and GAMG.Molecular docking results proposed that the enzymatic activity of UGT1A1 was likely owing to the stable hydrogen bonding interactions and favorite conformations between the amino acid residues around substrate channels(P82~R85)and substrates.Furthermore,the complete biosynthesis pathway of GL was reconstructed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the first time,resulting in the production of 5.98±0.47 mg/L and 2.31±0.21 mg/L of GL and GAMG,respectively.
