Effects of Licorice Extract in Combination with a Low-calorie Diet on Obesity Indices, Glycemic Indices, and Lipid Profiles in Overweight/obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial

Overview

Journal J Ovarian Res

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialties Gynecology & Obstetrics
Reproductive Medicine

Date 2024 Jul 31

PMID 39080737

Authors

Hadis Hooshmandi

Akram Ghadiri-Anari

Ali Mohammad Ranjbar

Hossein Fallahzadeh

Mahdieh Hosseinzadeh

Azadeh Nadjarzadeh

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common ovarian dysfunction. Recent studies showed the effectiveness of licorice on metabolic profiles with inconsistent findings. So, we investigated the effect of licorice on obesity indices, glycemic indices, and lipid profiles in women with PCOS.

Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed on 66 overweight/obese women with PCOS. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either 1.5 gr/day licorice extract plus a low-calorie diet (n = 33) or placebo plus a low-calorie diet (n = 33) for 8 weeks. Participants' anthropometric indices and body composition were assessed using standard protocols. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin levels, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured using enzymatic kits. The homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and HOMA of β-cell function (HOMA-B) were calculated using valid formulas.

Results: Between-group comparisons demonstrated significant differences between the groups in terms of obesity indices (body weight, BMI, and body fat), lipid profiles (TG, TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C), FBS and insulin levels, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-B at the end of the study (P < 0.05). Supplementation with licorice plus a low-calorie diet was also more effective in improving all parameters than a low-calorie diet alone after adjusting for confounders (baseline values, age, weight changes, and physical activity changes) (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The findings showed that licorice consumption leads to improvements in obesity indices, glucose homeostasis, and lipid profiles compared to placebo. Due to possible limitations of the study, further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Citing Articles

The Role of Lifestyle Interventions in PCOS Management: A Systematic Review.

Gautam R, Maan P, Jyoti A, Kumar A, Malhotra N, Arora T Nutrients. 2025; 17(2).

PMID: 39861440 PMC: 11767734. DOI: 10.3390/nu17020310.

References

Alizadeh M, Namazi N, Mirtaheri E, Sargheini N, Kheirouri S . Changes of Insulin Resistance and Adipokines Following Supplementation with Extract in Combination with a Low-Calorie Diet in Overweight and Obese Subjects: a Randomized Double Blind Clinical Trial. Adv Pharm Bull. 2018; 8(1):123-130. PMC: 5896387. DOI: 10.15171/apb.2018.015. View

Kim Y, Kim Y, Yang Y, Kay H, Kim W, Lee J . Inhibition of LXRα-dependent steatosis and oxidative injury by liquiritigenin, a licorice flavonoid, as mediated with Nrf2 activation. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2010; 14(5):733-45. DOI: 10.1089/ars.2010.3260. View

Bell Z, Canale R, Bloomer R . A dual investigation of the effect of dietary supplementation with licorice flavonoid oil on anthropometric and biochemical markers of health and adiposity. Lipids Health Dis. 2011; 10:29. PMC: 3042962. DOI: 10.1186/1476-511X-10-29. View

Phy J, Pohlmeier A, Cooper J, Watkins P, Spallholz J, Harris K . Low Starch/Low Dairy Diet Results in Successful Treatment of Obesity and Co-Morbidities Linked to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). J Obes Weight Loss Ther. 2015; 5(2). PMC: 4516387. DOI: 10.4172/2165-7904.1000259. View

Hajiaghamohammadi A, Ziaee A, Samimi R . The efficacy of licorice root extract in decreasing transaminase activities in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Phytother Res. 2012; 26(9):1381-4. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.3728. View

Tominaga Y, Nakagawa K, Mae T, Kitano M, Yokota S, Arai T . Licorice flavonoid oil reduces total body fat and visceral fat in overweight subjects: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Obes Res Clin Pract. 2013; 3(3):I-IV. DOI: 10.1016/j.orcp.2009.04.005. View

Li D, Qian Z, Li S . Inhibition of three selected beverage extracts on alpha-glucosidase and rapid identification of their active compounds using HPLC-DAD-MS/MS and biochemical detection. J Agric Food Chem. 2010; 58(11):6608-13. DOI: 10.1021/jf100853c. View

Mori N, Nakanishi S, Shiomi S, Kiyokawa S, Kakimoto S, Nakagawa K . Enhancement of Fat Oxidation by Licorice Flavonoid Oil in Healthy Humans during Light Exercise. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2015; 61(5):406-16. DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.61.406. View

Franks S . Polycystic ovary syndrome. N Engl J Med. 1995; 333(13):853-61. DOI: 10.1056/NEJM199509283331307. View

10.

Aoki F, Honda S, Kishida H, Kitano M, Arai N, Tanaka H . Suppression by licorice flavonoids of abdominal fat accumulation and body weight gain in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2007; 71(1):206-14. DOI: 10.1271/bbb.60463. View

11.

Fuhrman B, Volkova N, Kaplan M, Presser D, Attias J, Hayek T . Antiatherosclerotic effects of licorice extract supplementation on hypercholesterolemic patients: increased resistance of LDL to atherogenic modifications, reduced plasma lipid levels, and decreased systolic blood pressure. Nutrition. 2002; 18(3):268-73. DOI: 10.1016/s0899-9007(01)00753-5. View

12.

Yoke Yin C, So Ha T, Abdul Kadir K . Effects of Glycyrrhizic Acid on Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARgamma), Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL), Serum Lipid and HOMA-IR in Rats. PPAR Res. 2009; 2010:530265. PMC: 2786009. DOI: 10.1155/2010/530265. View

13.

Lin A, Lujan M . Comparison of dietary intake and physical activity between women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome: a review. Adv Nutr. 2014; 5(5):486-96. PMC: 4188220. DOI: 10.3945/an.113.005561. View

14.

Behboudi-Gandevani S, Ramezani Tehrani F, Rostami Dovom M, Farahmand M, Bahri Khomami M, Noroozzadeh M . Insulin resistance in obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2016; 32(5):343-53. DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2015.1117069. View

15.

Panidis D, Farmakiotis D, Rousso D, Kourtis A, Katsikis I, Krassas G . Obesity, weight loss, and the polycystic ovary syndrome: effect of treatment with diet and orlistat for 24 weeks on insulin resistance and androgen levels. Fertil Steril. 2007; 89(4):899-906. DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.04.043. View

16.

Song Y, Manson J, Tinker L, Howard B, Kuller L, Nathan L . Insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion determined by homeostasis model assessment and risk of diabetes in a multiethnic cohort of women: the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. Diabetes Care. 2007; 30(7):1747-52. PMC: 1952235. DOI: 10.2337/dc07-0358. View

17.

Pasquali R, Gambineri A, Pagotto U . The impact of obesity on reproduction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. BJOG. 2006; 113(10):1148-59. DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2006.00990.x. View

18.

Yamashita Y, Kishida H, Nakagawa K, Yoshioka Y, Ashida H . Liquorice flavonoid oil suppresses hyperglycaemia accompanied by skeletal muscle myocellular GLUT4 recruitment to the plasma membrane in KK-A mice. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2018; 70(3):294-302. DOI: 10.1080/09637486.2018.1508425. View

19.

Aversa A, La Vignera S, Rago R, Gambineri A, Nappi R, Calogero A . Fundamental Concepts and Novel Aspects of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Expert Consensus Resolutions. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020; 11:516. PMC: 7431619. DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00516. View

20.

Johansson G, Wikman A, Ahren A, Hallmans G, Johansson I . Underreporting of energy intake in repeated 24-hour recalls related to gender, age, weight status, day of interview, educational level, reported food intake, smoking habits and area of living. Public Health Nutr. 2001; 4(4):919-27. DOI: 10.1079/phn2001124. View