Diammonium glycyrrhizinate (DG), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is extracted and purified from liquorices (Radix glycyrrhizae). It is known for its anti-inflammatory effects, resistance to biologic oxidation and membranous protection. DG is able to reduce inflammatory injury via suppression of NF?κB, TNF?α and intercellular adhesion molecule 1.
Intraperitoneal administration of DG protects mice against ConA-induced elevation of serum ALT levels and apoptosis of hepatocytes; at the same time, the absolute amount of hepatic NKT cells and T cells is significantly decreased, indicating that DG can inhibit the recruitment of lymphocytes into the liver. In addition, the production of IL-6 and IL-10 is improved by DG pretreatment, suggesting that DG may possibly protect the liver from injury via two pathways: direct protection of hepatocytes from apoptosis through an IL-6-dependent way and indirect inhibition of T-cell-mediated inflammation through an IL-10-dependent way[1]. DG is able to reduce inflammatory injury via suppression of nuclear factor κ?light?chain?enhancer of activated B cells (NF?κB), tumor necrosis factor?α and intercellular adhesion molecule 1, which are thought to promote inflammatory injury. DG has neuroprotective potential against ischemia?reperfusion injury in a model of focal cerebral ischemic?reperfusion injury[2].
[1] Feng C, et al. Int Immunopharmacol. 2007, 7(10):1292-8. [2] Yang J, et al. Planta Med. 2008, 74(11):1351-6.