Mechanism of Antihepatotoxic Activity of Glycyrrhizin, I: Effect on Free Radical Generation and Lipid Peroxidation

Abstract

Glycyrrhizin and its analogues were screened for antihepatotoxic activity by in vitro assay methods using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-and galactosarnine-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Structure-activity relationship in these substances is discussed. The mechanism of inhibitory activity of glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid in CCl4-produced liver damage was investigated by determining the effects of these substances on the initial steps in the sequence of events leading to liver lesion, revealing that anti-oxidative action plays an important part in the antihepatotoxic activity.