Antiandrogenic Activities of Glycyrrhiza Glabra in Male Rats

The study conducted on immature male rats demonstrated that Glycyrrhiza glabra (liquorice) possesses antiandrogenic properties. With a sample size of 7 rats per group, the research showed that G. glabra extract at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg significantly reduced serum testosterone levels, prostate weight, and the epithelium/stroma ratio in the ventral prostate. Additionally, the highest dose of 300 mg/kg also significantly decreased the weights of seminal vesicles and levator ani muscle. The reduction in testosterone levels and organ weights was attributed to increased testosterone metabolism, down-regulation of androgen receptors, or activation of estrogen receptors by the components of G. glabra. Histological changes in the prostate supported these findings. The study concluded that G. glabra could have therapeutic potential for conditions related to androgen activity, such as prostate cancer.