Safety Assessment of One Day Treatment of Liquorice Extract in Female Sprague Dawley Rats

Authors

  • Cheang Weng Yee Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra Campus, Jalan SP2, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610 Jenjarom, Kuala Langat, Selangor, MALAYSIA. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6473-5499
  • Loh Yi Qing Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra Campus, Jalan SP2, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610 Jenjarom, Kuala Langat, Selangor, MALAYSIA.
  • Endarutenne Gedara Mohamed Rizwan Fathima Naathiya Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra Campus, Jalan SP2, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610 Jenjarom, Kuala Langat, Selangor, MALAYSIA.
  • Anastasia Annabella Goh Hui Xin Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra Campus, Jalan SP2, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610 Jenjarom, Kuala Langat, Selangor, MALAYSIA.
  • Chee Jing Tung Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra Campus, Jalan SP2, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610 Jenjarom, Kuala Langat, Selangor, MALAYSIA. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7888-0916
  • Chen Hong-Ze Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra Campus, Jalan SP2, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610 Jenjarom, Kuala Langat, Selangor, MALAYSIA.
  • Coen Tan Mun Shun Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra Campus, Jalan SP2, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610 Jenjarom, Kuala Langat, Selangor, MALAYSIA.
  • Darren Voo Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra Campus, Jalan SP2, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610 Jenjarom, Kuala Langat, Selangor, MALAYSIA. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6125-4933
  • Jameel Muhammad Aathiq Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra Campus, Jalan SP2, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610 Jenjarom, Kuala Langat, Selangor, MALAYSIA. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2565-2071
  • Tay Yu Dung Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra Campus, Jalan SP2, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610 Jenjarom, Kuala Langat, Selangor, MALAYSIA.
  • Wong Xianglin Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra Campus, Jalan SP2, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610 Jenjarom, Kuala Langat, Selangor, MALAYSIA.
  • Yuzhu Liu Department of Pre-clinical Sciences, M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Sungai Long, Bandar Sungai Long, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, MALAYSIA. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5968-1746
  • Sudha Arumugam Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra Campus, Jalan SP2, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610 Jenjarom, Kuala Langat, Selangor, MALAYSIA. https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4986-9897
  • Jin Han Chin Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra Campus, Jalan SP2, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610 Jenjarom, Kuala Langat, Selangor, MALAYSIA. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0042-4394
  • Siew-Keah Lee Department of Pre-clinical Sciences, M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Sungai Long, Bandar Sungai Long, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, MALAYSIA. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9299-6842

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22452/mjs.vol44sp1.9

Keywords:

Liquorice extract, hepatic function, renal function, serum biochemical marker

Abstract

This study aimed to provide preliminary data on the safe use of liquorice extracts for herbal product consumers. Female Sprague Dawley rats received a single-day treatment with liquorice extract (50–2000 mg/kg) or distilled water (control). Liver and kidney functions were evaluated through blood biochemical analysis, gross, and histological evaluation. This animal study adhered to the OECD Test Guideline 423. Fifteen female SD rats, aged 16 weeks, were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 3). The control group received distilled water, while treatment groups T1, T2, T3, and T4 were administered liquorice extract at doses of 2000, 200, 100, and 50 mg/kg via oral gavage. Body and organ weights (liver, kidney, heart) were measured. Blood samples were collected to assess serum biochemical markers, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), creatinine, and urea levels. Data were analysed using Dunnett’s tests, with p < 0.05 denoting statistical significance. No significant changes in body or organ weights occurred across groups. Liquorice extract had no effect on ALT or GGT. Serum creatinine decreased (p < 0.05) at 200 mg/kg, and serum urea decreased at 50 mg/kg compared with controls. A single-day liquorice extract treatment (50–2000 mg/kg) was safe and caused no hepatic or renal toxicity in female SD rats.

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Published

12-12-2025

How to Cite

Cheang Weng Yee, Loh Yi Qing, Endarutenne Gedara Mohamed Rizwan Fathima Naathiya, Anastasia Annabella Goh Hui Xin, Chee Jing Tung, Chen Hong-Ze, Coen Tan Mun Shun, Darren Voo, Jameel Muhammad Aathiq, Tay Yu Dung, Wong Xianglin, Yuzhu Liu, Sudha Arumugam, Jin Han Chin, & Siew-Keah Lee. (2025). Safety Assessment of One Day Treatment of Liquorice Extract in Female Sprague Dawley Rats. Malaysian Journal of Science (MJS), 44(sp1), 55–60. https://doi.org/10.22452/mjs.vol44sp1.9

Issue

Vol. 44 No. sp1 (2025): Special Issue: MAHSA International Medical Sciences and Technology Conference (Mi-Med) 2024

Section

Special Issue - Mi-Med 2024

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