Effect of glycyrrhetinic acid on DNA damage and unscheduled DNA synthesis induced by benzo(a)pyrene.

Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) is an active component of Glycyrrhiza uraleusis fisch. In this study, GA was found to inhibit ear edema and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity induced by croton oil in mice. GA could also protect rapid DNA damage and decrease the unscheduled DNA synthesis induced by benzo(a)pyrene. The results demonstrate that GA has a potential cancer chemopreventive activity.