Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of glycyrrhizin (GL) on Langerhans cells (LCs) of mice. Methods The mice were treated intraperitoneally with normal saline, different doses of GL and dexamethasone, respectively, once daily. The mouse ear skin was excised at different times after treatment. The mouse LCs were detected by immunohistochemical technique after treatment, using rat IgG2a anti-mouse Ia monoclonal antibody. Results After 3 and 7 days of treatment, the densities of LC were significantly decreased in the groups treated with 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg of GL and 1 mg/kg of dexamethasone, but significantly increased in group treated with 80 mg/kg of GL. The effects of GL on the density of mouse LC weakened after 4 weeks of treatment. Conclusions The densities of mouse LC, decreased with low dose but increased with high dose of GL treatment, can be regulated in both directions by GL.

Key words: Glycyrrhizin, Langerhans cells