Glycyrrhetinic acid

Enoxolone

Clinical data
Trade names	Arthrodont, PruClair
AHFS/Drugs.com	International Drug Names
Routes of administration	Oral, topical
ATC code	D03AX10 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	US: ℞-only
Identifiers
IUPAC name (2S,4aS,6aS,6bR,8aR,10S,12aS,12bR,14bR)-10-hydroxy-2,4a,6a,6b,9,9,12a-heptamethyl-13-oxo-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,6b,7,8,8a,9,10,11,12,12a,12b,13,14b-icosahydropicene-2-carboxylic acid
CAS Number	471-53-4
PubChem (CID)	10114
ChemSpider	9710
ChEBI	CHEBI:30853
ChEMBL	CHEMBL230006
ECHA InfoCard	100.006.769
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C30H46O4
Molar mass	470.6838
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
SMILES O=C(O)[C@]5(C)C[C@H]4/C3=C/C(=O)[C@H]1[C@](CC[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)CC[C@H](O)C2(C)C)(C)[C@]3(C)CC[C@@]4(C)CC5
InChI InChI=1S/C30H46O4/c1-25(2)21-8-11-30(7)23(28(21,5)10-9-22(25)32)20(31)16-18-19-17-27(4,24(33)34)13-12-26(19,3)14-15-29(18,30)6/h16,19,21-23,32H,8-15,17H2,1-7H3,(H,33,34)/t19-,21-,22-,23+,26+,27-,28-,29+,30+/m0/s1 Key:MPDGHEJMBKOTSU-YKLVYJNSSA-N

Enoxolone (INN, BAN; also known as glycyrrhetinic acid or glycyrrhetic acid) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid derivative of the beta-amyrin type obtained from the hydrolysis of glycyrrhizic acid, which was obtained from the herb liquorice. It is used in flavoring and it masks the bitter taste of drugs like aloe and quinine. It is effective in the treatment of peptic ulcer and also has expectorant (antitussive) properties. It has some additional pharmacological properties including antiviral, antifungal, antiprotozoal, and antibacterial activities.

Glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits the enzymes (15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase and delta-13-prostaglandin) that metabolize the prostaglandins PGE-2 and PGF-2α to their respective 15-keto-13,14-dihydro metabolites which are inactive. This causes an increased level of prostaglandins in the digestive system. Prostaglandins inhibit gastric secretion but stimulate pancreatic secretion and mucous secretion in the intestines and markedly increase intestinal motility. They also cause cell proliferation in the stomach. The effect on gastric acid secretion, promotion of mucous secretion and cell proliferation shows why licorice has potential in treating peptic ulcer.

PGF-2α stimulates activity of the uterus during pregnancy and can cause abortion, therefore, licorice should not be taken during pregnancy.