GutGard May Ward off Ulcers

BANGALORE, IndiaIn a recent Indian study, GutGard, a novel standardized deglycyrrhizinated licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) extract (from Natural Remedies Pvt. Ltd.), demonstrated anti-ulcer properties, possibly due to its cytoprotective mechanism as a result of its antioxidant properties (Indian J Exp Biol. 2010;48(03):269-274). The effect of various doses (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg, po) of GutGard was studied on gastric ulcers in pylorus ligation-, cold-restraint stress- and indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats.

GutGard dose dependently decreased gastric content, total acidity, ulcer index and increased pH of gastric fluid in pylorus ligation ulcer model. In cold-restraint stress- and indomethacin-induced ulcer models, all the doses of GutGard decreased the ulcer index and increased the pH of gastric fluid. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the ORAC assay. GutGard exhibited potent antioxidant activity with high hydrophilic and lipophilic ORAC value. The results of this study supported the ethnomedical uses of licorice in the treatment of gastric ulcer.