Osteoporosis
Prevention Abilities of Licorice Root
Article Summary:
A review of the estrogen-like activity of the licorice root derivative
glabridin. The effects of this isoflavan, which acts on bone metabolism,
were studied in the osteoblastic cell lines of mice. Glabridin significantly
increased the growth of these osteoblastic cells and within them
caused an elevation of alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen content
and osteocalcin secretion. These elevations were prevented by the
introduction of cycloheximide and tamoxifen, showing that glabridin’s
effects result from a protein component; thus demonstrating its
involvement in estrogen actions.
A second examination showed that the licorice root derived glabridin
prevented the destruction of osteoblastic cells and decreased the
production of prostaglandin and nitric oxide in those cells. Therefore,
the enhancement of osteoblast function caused by glabridin can help
prevent osteoporosis and other inflammatory bone diseases.
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Authors:
Choi EM.
Institution:
Department of Food and Nutrition, Kyung Hee University, 1, Hoegi-dong,
Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
Country of Publication:
Korea
Source:
Biochem Pharmacol. 2005 May 24. NIH.
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