Chemical analysis and anti-inflammatory comparison of the cell culture of Glycyrrhiza with its field cultivated variety.

Suspended cells of Glycyrrhiza (CG) possessed a similar content of flavonoids and a lower content of triterpenes, when compared with its field cultivated equivalent (NG). Xylene-induced ear oedema and ovalbumin-induced mouse paw oedema were applied, to compare the effects of CG and NG on the acute inflammatory response. Extracts of the cell culture of Glycyrrhiza possessed a similar anti-inflammatory effect to those of NG, through the enhancement of the SOD activity of plasma and liver tissues. The use of a cell culture of liquorice instead of field cultivation would be potentially profitable.