Phytochemical profiling, antimicrobial, cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra ethanolic extract

Abstract

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. is a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds, yet detailed studies on its antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and apoptotic properties remain limited. This research evaluated these effects using an ethanolic extract of G. glabra . The extract was prepared via Soxhlet extraction, and its chemical constituents were identified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). In vitro antimicrobial activity was tested against various microorganisms through well diffusion and microdilution methods, while minimum bactericidal and fungicidal concentrations were determined using agar plate assays. Cytotoxicity on HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells was assessed with the MTT assay. Additionally, the expression of apoptosis-related genes ( p53 , Bax , and Bcl-2 ) was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. GC–MS results revealed a total of 28 compounds, with 2,8-dimethyl-7,8-dihydro-6H-cyclohepta (18.59 %) and thiophene (16.58 %) as the major constituents. The extract showed strong antimicrobial effects, especially against Gram-positive bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes , Enterococcus faecalis , and Streptococcus mutans . Among Gram-negative strains, Salmonella enteritidis was the most susceptible. Cytotoxic activity against HepG2 cells was observed, with an IC ₅₀ value of 206.8 µg/mL. This effect was associated with increased expression of p53 and Bax and decreased Bcl-2 levels, indicating apoptosis. The ethanolic extract of G. glabra shows strong antimicrobial and cytotoxic potential and may be explored as a potential chemopreventive agent.