Assessment of median lethal dose and anti-mutagenic effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract against chemically induced micronucleus formation in Swiss albino mice

Background: To assess the median lethal dose and evaluate the anti-chemotherapeutic effects of hydro-methanolic root extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra on the cyclophosphamide (CP) induced mutagenicity in bone marrow cells of Swiss albino mice. Methods: For the assessments of LD 50, hydro-methanolic root extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra were intra-peritoneally administered at doses of 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000, and 1200 mg/kg body weight. For the mutagenicity study, bone marrow micronucleus test was used and the single i.p. of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract given at the dose of 300, 450, and 600 mg/kg body weight, 24 hrs prior the administration of CP (at the dose of 50 mg/kg body weight). Results: The present investigations revealed that, the median lethal dose/LD 50 was observed at the dose of 833.3 mg/kg body weight. The results suggest that, the doses of 450 and 600 mg/kg body weight expressed significant preventive potential against CP induced Micronucleus formation in student ‘t’ test at dose dependent manner in the bone marrow cells of Swiss albino mice. Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract alone has not induced micronucleus formation. Conclusion: Based on this study, it may be concluded that Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract possess anti-mutagenic behavior and this hydro-methanolic crude extract may be safe as per the LD 50 was observed.