POLYPHENOLIC COMPOSITION AND ANTIPROLIFERATIVE ACTIVITY OF SMALL MALT BEAN EXTRACT (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.)

Relevance. In recent years, there has been increased interest in finding and using natural, highly effective and inexpensive plant antioxidants to re-place existing synthetic antioxidants. Dried licorice roots have long been widely used as a food flavoring and for various medicinal purposes. Licorice root preparations are known for their significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties. However, the antiproliferative activity of polyphenols from licorice beans has not been extensively studied. The aim of this study was to study the composition of polyphenols in licorice beans and their antiproliferative activity. Material and methods. We used 1000 g of dried mass of licorice beans. Chemicals and reagents used in the work were of analytical grade. We used an ethanol extract of licorice beans. The analysis of polyphenols in ethanol extract of licorice beans (EEBS) was carried out on the basis of the Fo-lin - Ciocalteu method. The content of polyphenols was expressed in grams of gallic acid equivalent (EGA) per 100 g dry weight (g EGA / 100 g DM). Pol-yphenols were identified by HPLC (Gilson C18 column 4.6x250 mm, 5 μm). Cytotoxicity analysis was performed on LNCаP cell culture. After 48 h of ex-posure to EEBS, a standard MTT test was performed. Results. The total content of polyphenols in the EEBS in recalculation of gallic acid was 37.17 μg. Glabrin, catechin, rutin, lycochalcon A, and ellagic ac-id have been identified. After an incubation period of 48 hours, the ethanolic licorice bean extract showed a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth from 40 to 140 μg/ml. The maximum effect was obtained from 100 μg/ml, which demonstrates the cytotoxic effect of EEBS on LNСaР cells over 85%. Conclusion. It has been shown that licorice beans, along with licorice root, can be used as a powerful biologically active source of natural antioxidants and anticancer agents.