Influence of liquorice on the blood glucose, potassium and sodium levels and its interaction with insulin in normal, diabetic and adrenalectomized rats

El-Koussi, A. E. A.; Mangoura, S. A.; Abu Rahma, H. H.; Abu El Wafa, A.

doi:10.21608/bfsa.2000.66399

Influence of liquorice on the blood glucose, potassium and sodium levels and its interaction with insulin in normal, diabetic and adrenalectomized rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University

² Department of Pharmacology, Assiut Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University

³ Department of Pharmacology, Assiut Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University

10.21608/bfsa.2000.66399

Abstract

its reported hyperglycemic effect. The aim of the present study was to evaluate this possible effect in both normal and diabetic rats. The mechanism of this hyperglycemic effect of liquorice was also investigated by studying the role of the adrenal glands after giving liquorice to adrenalectomized rats. The effect of liquorice on the hypoglycemic effect of insulin as well as its effect on the plasma electrolyte (Na⁺ & K⁺) levels were also studied. Results of this study revealed that liquorice (5.2 g/kg, orally) produces a significant (P<0.05) increase in the blood glucose level (B.G.L) in both normal and diabetic rats but not in adrenalectomized rats. Concurrent administration of insulin (0.5 u/kg) and liquorice produced an inhibition of the insulin-induced hypoglycemia in both normal and diabetic animals. However, liquorice ingestion did not affect the insulin hypoglycemic effect in adrenalectomized rats. Oral administration of liquorice (5.2 g/kg) produced a significant (P<0.05) redn. in plasma potassium and elevation in plasma sodium levels in both normal and diabetic animals. However, in adrenalectomized animals, liquorice failed to produce a significant change in plasma electrolyte (Na⁺ & K⁺) levels. Results of the present work support the previous reports concerning the various hazards of liquorice frequent administration to normal and diabetic individuals. According to our data, the most important of these hazards are hyperglycemia, inhibition of insulin induced hypoglycemia, hypokalemia and hypernatremia. Our results may also support the assumption of the possible direct or indirect glucomineralocorticoid activity of liquorice.