Understand what glycyrrhetinic acid is?
Understand what glycyrrhetinic acid is?
Glycyrrhetinic acid is a natural compound of triterpenoid saponins and is the main active ingredient in the roots and rhizomes of the legume plant licorice. It is a white or off-white crystalline powder, odorless and tasteless. In terms of chemical properties, it is easily soluble in pyridine, soluble in ethanol or chloroform, slightly soluble in gasoline or ether, and insoluble in water.
Glycyrrhetinic acid (INN, BAN; also known as glycyrrhetinic acid or glycyrrhetinic acid) is a pentacyclic triterpene derivative obtained by hydrolysis of glycyrrhizic acid, which is extracted from the herb licorice. It is used for seasoning and can mask the bitter taste of drugs such as aloe vera and quinine. It is effective in treating peptic ulcers and also has expectorant (antitussive) effects. It has some additional pharmacological properties and may have antiviral, antifungal, antiprotozoal and antibacterial activities.
Glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits enzymes (15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase and delta-13-prostaglandin) that metabolize prostaglandins PGE-2 and PGF-2α to their respective inactive 15-keto-13,14-dihydro metabolites. This increases prostaglandins in the digestive system. Prostaglandins inhibit gastric juice secretion, stimulate pancreatic secretion and mucus secretion in the intestine, and significantly increase intestinal motility. They also cause cell proliferation in the stomach. The promotion of gastric acid secretion, mucus secretion and cell proliferation by licorice explains why licorice has the potential to treat peptic ulcers.
At present, the main production routes of glycyrrhetinic acid include direct extraction from licorice as raw material or acid cleavage, alkaline cleavage and chemical synthesis using glycyrrhizic acid (or its salt) as raw material, but these methods have the disadvantages of severe reaction conditions, high energy consumption, and environmental pollution caused by the large-scale use of organic solvents. The production process and separation and purification process of glycyrrhetinic acid prepared by biological method have the advantages of mild reaction conditions, good chemical bond selectivity and high yield, which meet the requirements of green manufacturing process and environmental protection.
How to obtain glycyrrhizic acid?
1.Extraction from licorice
Glycyrrhizic acid can be obtained by extraction from licorice. Glycyrrhizic acid is mainly derived from the roots and rhizomes of the dicotyledonous plant Leguminosae Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. This natural ingredient is present in high levels in licorice, so it is considered one of the main active ingredients of licorice. The specific method includes extracting crude glycyrrhizic acid from licorice using a water-acid extraction method, then purifying glycyrrhizic acid using a D101 macroporous resin, and finally subjecting glycyrrhizic acid to acid pressure hydrolysis to obtain glycyrrhizic acid.
2.Patent search for preparation methods
Crude glycyrrhizic acid can also be obtained by directly dissolving products with a high content of glycyrrhizic acid, such as glycyrrhizic acid monoammonium salt or monosalt, in alcohol-water and then acid hydrolyzing.
What are the functions of glycyrrhetinic acid?
Anti-allergy
Glycyrrhetinic acid is widely used to reduce allergic reactions such as allergic rhinitis, asthma and urticaria. It can regulate the immune function of the skin, enhance the skin's disease resistance, eliminate inflammation, prevent allergies, and clean the skin. In addition, glycyrrhetinic acid can effectively inhibit the activation of tyrosinase, prevent the production of melanin, and has a whitening effect.
Anti-inflammatory
Glycyrrhetinic acid has anti-inflammatory effects and can relieve the discomfort caused by inflammation. This makes it potentially useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and arthritis. Glycyrrhetinic acid exerts its anti-inflammatory effects through multiple pathways, the most important of which is to slow down the process of inflammatory response by inhibiting the production and release of inflammatory mediators. In addition, glycyrrhetinic acid can also inhibit the activation of inflammation-related signaling pathways, thereby effectively reducing tissue damage caused by inflammation.
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhetinic acid also has antioxidant properties, which helps to fight free radicals, slow down cell aging and the risk of various chronic diseases. This property makes glycyrrhetinic acid widely used in fields such as medicine and cosmetics.
Immunomodulation
Glycyrrhetinic acid can regulate the function of the immune system and enhance the body's resistance. For example, glycyrrhetinic acid can act as a substitute for deoxycorticosterone in the treatment of Addison's disease (hypoadrenocorticism).
What else can glycyrrhetinic acid be used for?
Glycyrrhetinic acid has a certain sweetness and can be used as a natural sweetener to replace some chemically synthesized sweeteners in food, beverages and other fields. Glycyrrhetinic acid can also be used as a flavoring agent to improve the taste and taste of food. Flavor; Glycyrrhetinic acid has antioxidant properties, which can extend the shelf life of food and maintain the freshness and taste of food.
Glycyrrhetinic acid has various skin care effects such as moisturizing, moisturizing, and whitening, and is widely used in cosmetics, such as facial creams, lotions, essences, etc. For sensitive skin or skin problems caused by external stimulation, glycyrrhetinic acid can have a soothing effect and reduce skin discomfort.
Glycyrrhetinic acid has significant anti-inflammatory effects and can reduce inflammatory reactions caused by various causes. It is widely used in the medical field. It can inhibit the occurrence of allergic reactions and has a certain therapeutic effect on allergic diseases such as allergic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis. Glycyrrhetinic acid can regulate immune system function, enhance the body's immunity, and has a certain auxiliary therapeutic effect on immune system diseases. It can also protect liver cells, reduce liver damage, and has a certain therapeutic effect on liver diseases such as hepatitis.