Introduction: Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice) is one of the most used medicinal plats as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, sweetener, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antimycotic or anti-tumor agent. In our country G. echinata (Russian licorice) is the dominant species of the Glycyrrhiza genus. Several substitution cases were reported between G. glabra and G. echinata in the last years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface-active properties, related to the potential toxicity of Russian licorice, using the medicinal species G. glabra as standard. Material and method: Tests were performed according to the methods described by valid Pharmacopoeias. The foam index was identified (FI), followed by the evaluation of haemolysis capacity. A spectrophotometric method, more sensitive than the haemolytic index (HI) was used to determine the 50% haemolytic dose (HD50) of the two vegetal products, ammoniacal glycyrrhizate and G. echinata saponins.
Results: Glycyrrhiza echinata (FI 400; HD50 = 9153±210 μg/ml), G. glabra (FI 250, HD50 = 12382±172 μg/ml) and the tested saponins (ammoniacal glycyrrhizin HD 50 = 63.25±1.4 µg/ml and G. echinata saponins HD50 = 42.5±1.2 μg/ml), had low haemolytic capacity.
Conclusions: The surface-active properties of the tested vegetal products and substances do not create an impediment when using small amounts of the product, creating the perspective of new research on the use of saponins isolated from G. glabra and G. echinata as possible ingredients in parenteral formulation.
Glycyrrhiza glabra and Glycyrrhiza echinata — Sources of Low Hemotoxic Saponins
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