ABSTRACT

      Background and Objective: Glycyrrhizaglabra L. is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs in Golestan province that is known for its anti-inflammatory, carminative, antiviral, anti-infection and anti-ulcer properties in Iranian traditional medicine. This study aimed to assess the anti-bacterial and anti-oxidative activity of G. glabrafrom the Golestan province.

        Methods:  The rip root of the plant was collected in autumn 2013. The ethanolic extract of the plant was prepared by maceration method. The anti-oxidative property of the plant was assessed by total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reducing power (RP) and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity assays. The anti-bacterial activity was assessed using agar-well diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay.

        Results: The ethanolic extract of G. glabrahad relatively high anti-oxidative activity with IC50 value of 130 µg/ml, especially in the DPPH method. The extract also exhibited high anti-bacterial activity against the following Gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus (21.1±0.7 mm), Staphylococcus epidermidis (19.6±0.2 mm), Bacillus subtilus (19.3±0.6 mm), followed by Escherichia coli (12.1±0.8 mm), Enterococcus faecalis (13.2±0.1 mm) and Kelebsiellapneumoniae (11.5±0.4 mm) with MIC values in the range of 31 - 132 mg. mL^-1.

         Conclusion: According to results, the root extract of G.glabrais a good source of antioxidant compounds with suitable anti-bacterial activity, which can be used as natural anti-infection and anti-inflammatory agent for treatment of many diseases.