Biochem Int 1989[Jan]; 18 (1): 81-9 PMID2541725show ga
Studies were made on the direct effects of glycyrrhizin and its aglycone, glycyrrhetinic acid on the activities of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase, a membrane bound Na+ and Ca2+-extrusion pump enzyme of the basolateral membranes (BLM) of canine kidney. Glycyrrhetinic acid inhibited the activity of the Na+-pump enzyme dose-dependently (IC50 = 1.5 x 10(-4) M), but had no effect on that of the Ca2+-pump enzyme of kidney BLM and homogenates. Glycyrrhizin also inhibited the Na+-pump enzyme activity but had less effect (IC50 = 2 x 10(-3) M). The effects of these compounds were due to competitive inhibition with ATP binding to the enzyme (Ki = 12 microM) and so were different from that of ouabain, which inhibits the Na+-pump by binding to its extracellular K+-binding site. The direct effect of glycyrrhetinic acid on the membrane may be important role in the multiple actions of licorice.