Evalution of possible Interactions between Liquorice and some Antidiabetic Agents

This thesis is devoted to the investigation of the effect of liquorice on the blood glucose level and its possible interaction with the antidiabetic agent ”insulin”., - In this study, the effect of liquorice, insulin and their combination on the blood glucose level of normal, alloxan-diabetic and adrenalectomized rats was evaluated during a period of 24 hours following their administration.In another set of experiments; the effect of liquorice, insulin and their combination on the plasma electrolyte (Na + and K+) levels of normal, alloxan-diabetic and adrenalectomized rats. was also evaluated.Results of this investigation revealed that liquorice produces a significant increase in the B.G.L after 4 hours following its oral administration in both normal and diabetic rats. The hyperglycemic . effect in diabetic animals was les$ prolonged ands less intense than in of normal animals.However. the oral administration of liquorice showed a nonnsignificant change in the B.G.L.of adrenalectomized animals.The s.c. insulin injection in dose of 0.5 U /Kg into both normal and diabetic animals led to a highly significant (P<0.01) hypoglycemia.The s.c. injection of insulin into adrenalectomized rats also produced a highly significant reduction in the B.G.L. Insulinninduced hypoglycemia in adrenalectomized rats was more intense and prolonged th,an that observed in normal animals. The