The licorice plant, botanical name Glycyrrhiza glabra, is a perennial in the legume family. Licorice root has a distinctive sweet flavor and one of its active components, glycyrhhyzin, is sweeter than sugar. Licorice root has been used for culinary and medicinal purposes, including as a supplement to manage diabetes. Consult your doctor before using licorice to treat elevated blood sugar.
Kidney Protective
Licorice extract may benefit diabetes, according to a study on laboratory animals published in the April 2011 issue of the journal "Drug and Chemical Toxicology." In the study, 1 g per kg body weight of licorice per day for 60 days reduced blood sugar, improved kidney function and slowed weight loss. Licorice extract also reduced lipid oxidation in the kidneys and restored antioxidant capacity in the kidneys. Licorice also prevented kidney structural damage. The researchers concluded that licorice may offer therapeutic antioxidant and blood sugar lowering benefits for people with diabetes.
Glycyrrhizin
Glycyrrhizin, the active ingredient in licorice, has blood sugar and cholesterol lowering properties, according to a study published in the February 2011 issue of the "Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology." In the study on laboratory animals, glycyrrhizin improved blood glucose levels and glucose tolerance, decreased insulin levels and lowered cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas were also reduced in number. Antioxidant levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase were increased and levels of oxidized lipids were decreased by licorice extract. Iron-associated free radical formation was counteracted by licorice extract, as well, in the study.
Glabridin
Glabridin, a phytoestrogen compound in licorice, may offer protection from oxidation and atherosclerosis in some diabetics, according to a study published in the October 2010 issue of the journal "Phytotherapy Research." Diabetic women are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease than non-diabetic women and chronic high blood sugar levels cause oxidative and inflammatory stress due to the loss of estrogen's protective effects. In the study, glabridin increased antioxidant enzymes by as much as 3.5 times in the high blood sugar environment of diabetes, implying a strong protective influence against the damaging effects of elevated glucose. The researchers concluded that glabridin may be a useful supplement for preventing oxidation and atherosclerosis in diabetic women.
Glycyrin
Glycyrin, a main active compound in licorice, decreased blood sugar levels significantly in a study on laboratory animals published in the December 2003 issue of the journal "Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters." In the study on laboratory animals, several antioxidants were identified, one of which, the the researchers noted is a new compound.
Roasted Versus Raw
The journal "Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry" reported in its June 2007 issue on a study that found roasted licorice had better blood sugar regulating effects than raw licorice in laboratory animals. Roasted licorice consistently improved insulin secretion and increased insulin receptor sensitivity in the pancreas, leading to improved pancreatic function.
References
- "Drug and Chemical Toxicology"; Effect of Licorice Extract on the Complications of Diabetes Nephropathy in Rats; Kataya HH; et al.; April 2011
- "Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology"; Ameliorative Effects of Glycyrrhizin on Streptozotocin Induced Diabetes in Rats. Sen S; et al.; February 2011
- "Phytotherapy Research"; Glabridin, a Phytoestrogen from Licorice Root, up Regulates Manganese Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase and Paraoxonase Two under Glucose Stress. Yehuda I; et al.; October 2010
- "Bioorganic And Medicinal Chemistry Letters"; Phenolics with PPAR Gamma Ligand Binding Activity Obtained from Licorice (Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Roots) and Ameliorative Effects of Glycyrin on Genetically Diabetic KK-A (Y) Mice. Kuroda M; et al.; December 2003
- "Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry"; Changes in Components, Glycyrrhizin and Glycyrrhetinic Acid, in Raw Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Fisch, Modify Insulin Sensitizing and Insulinotropic Actions. Ko BS; et al.; June 2007
