The protective effect of liquorice components and their derivatives against gastric ulcer induced by aspirin in rats.

We have examined the protective effect of liquorice or its derivatives against gastric ulcer induced by aspirin. A granular mixture of aspirin alone and coated with liquorice or its derivatives including the deglycyrrhized form, a high glycyrrhized form, carbenoxolone, and enoxolone were studied. Aspirin coated with liquorice reduced the number and size of ulcers, reducing the ulcer index from 1.5 +/- 0.12 to 0.5 +/- 0.12 and the incidence from 96% to 46%. Coating with derivatives was less effective (ulcer index, 0.70-0.94; incidence 62-76%).