Glycyrrhizin extracted from licorice alleviates insomnia by regulating signaling pathways of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin in a mice model

Introduction Licorice could exhibit beneficial effect in the management of insomnia by regulating key modulators such as GABA and serotonin, we therefore aimed to study potentail hypnotic licorice extract, glycyrrhizin (GCZ), on underlying mechanisms. Material methods Mice were randomly grouped a Control group, GCZ (low) (high) group DZP with 8 mice each group. Sleep latency, sleep duration locomotor activities recorded. ELISA assays performed evaluate level GABA, glutamate (Glu) GABA/Glu ratio tissues. Real-time PCR IHC expression GABAA-R. Results Oral treatment at 300mg/kg 100mg/kg dose-dependently shortened latency increased mice. Locomotor activity was also inhibited GCZ, while binding affinity higher treated GCZ. Moreover, GALA/Glu plasma, brain, hippocampus cerebrospinal fluid. GABAA receptor (GABAA-R) dose-dependent manner. Conclusions Our validated that glycyrrhizin, content licorice, alleviate upregulating its receptor.