Intestinal Epithelial Protective Chalone Glycoside from the Roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis

Glycyrrhiza uralensis has been used as a traditional medicine for generations. Chalcones are one of the typical chemical constituents of G. uralensis. In this paper, phytochemical research on roots of G. uralensis was performed, leading to the isolation and identification of a previously undescribed chalcone glycoside (1). Its structure was established by means of comprehensive spectral analysis and acid hydrolysis. Moreover, the bioactivity assay revealed that 1 showed a promotive effect on IEC-6 cell proliferation and evidently reversed DFMO-driven IEC-6 cell growth arrest. The results indicated that 1 might be used for the maintenance of intestinal epithelial homeostasis.