Background : The licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) is one of the Mongolian traditional useful medicinal plants. The roots and rhizomes are rich in triterpenoids, flavonoids and glycosides. It is have been employed clinically for their antiinflammatory, antiulcer, antimicrobial and anxiolytic activities. In this study, we was undertaken to explore the phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity and total flavonoid content of G.uralensis.
Methods and Results : In vitro culture related greenhouse, field growing G. uralensis and the wild type roots were dried in shade and grind in mechanical grinder. 1 g of powdered roots were extracted in 25 ㎖ of methanol with concentration of 40 ㎎/㎖. The antioxidant activity and total flavonoid contents were investigated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryldydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay and aluminium trichloride method, respectively. The production of glycyrrhizic acid determined by thin layer chromatography. In the phytochemical screening showed presence of secondary metabolites flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids and tannin. The extract possessed potent antioxidant activity having IC50 value 2,000 ㎍/㎖ (59.97 ± 2.55) in wild type and 1,000 ㎍/㎖ (68.73 ± 3.99) in greenhouse samples. Field grown G.uralensis roots extract gave highest total flavonoid content with 30.21% compared with wild type and greenhouse grown samples (16.71% and 10.71%).
Conclusion : Based on the results of investigations, G. uralensis is a potent source of novel bioactive compounds. Further investigations regarding more biological activities by high sensitive techniques such as HPLC and GC-MS need to be conducted.

• Altanzul Khorolragchaa(몽골과학아카데미 일반생물실험연구소 식물생명공학연구실)
• Munkhtsetseg Tserendagva(몽골과학아카데미 일반생물실험연구소 식물생명공학연구실)
• Oyunbileg Yungeree(몽골과학아카데미 일반생물실험연구소 식물생명공학연구실) Corresponding author