Natural 18β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid Redness Relief Gentle Repair Beauty Essence

I. Basic Information of Glycyrrhetinic Acid

1. Chemical Properties
   Glycyrrhetinic Acid is a pentacyclic triterpenoid compound extracted from the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice root), with a molecular formula of C₃₀H₄₆O₄ and a molecular weight of 470.69. It is a white needle-like crystal at room temperature, with a melting point of 291–294°C. It is poorly soluble in water but readily soluble in organic solvents such as methanol and ethanol. Classified by the hydrogen atom at the C-18 position, it exists as α- and β-forms, with the natural form predominantly being β-glycyrrhetinic acid.

2. Source of Extraction
   Glycyrrhetinic Acid is the aglycone of glycyrrhizic acid. In the human body, glycyrrhizic acid is hydrolyzed by gastric acid or decomposed by β-glucuronidase in the liver to form glycyrrhetinic acid. Glycyrrhizic acid accounts for approximately 4%–5% of the dry weight of licorice root, with a sweetness 50 times that of sucrose, while glycyrrhetinic acid is 250 times sweeter than sucrose.

3. Biological Activity
   Glycyrrhetinic Acid exhibits various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-allergic, antiviral, lipid-lowering, antitussive, expectorant, and mucolytic effects. It is also used in the prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis, hyperlipidemia, and cancer.

II. Pharmacological Actions of Glycyrrhetinic Acid

1. Anti-inflammatory Effect
   Glycyrrhetinic Acid has significant anti-inflammatory properties. It inhibits various acute inflammatory responses, and its anti-inflammatory action is independent of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, instead relying on the inhibition of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production in inflammatory tissues and the antagonism of inflammatory mediators such as histamine and serotonin.

2. Immunomodulatory Effect
   Glycyrrhetinic Acid enhances non-specific cellular immune function in the body and has immunomodulatory effects on acute serum sickness in rabbits. It can regulate the immune system, enhance body resistance, and reduce the occurrence of autoimmune diseases.

3. Anti-ulcer Effect
   Glycyrrhetinic Acid exhibits good anti-ulcer effects in rats with pyloric ligation, with a high therapeutic index. It can protect the gastric mucosa and promote gastrointestinal repair, alleviating digestive discomfort and promoting gastrointestinal health.

4. Antiviral Effect
   Glycyrrhetinic Acid inhibits various viruses, including hepatitis viruses, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It can help control viral infections by inhibiting viral replication and enhancing immune system function.

5. Antitumor Effect
   Glycyrrhetinic Acid inhibits the growth of transplanted Oberling-Gnerin myeloma in rats. Its sodium salt, at maximum tolerated doses, slightly inhibits the growth of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (FAC) and sarcoma-45 cells in mice. It can exert antitumor effects by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis.

6. Adrenocorticoid-like Effect
   Glycyrrhetinic Acid has mineralocorticoid-like effects, promoting sodium and water retention and increasing potassium excretion, similar to deoxycorticosterone. It can also produce sodium retention, antidiuretic, and anti-inflammatory effects through direct or indirect mechanisms.

7. Other Effects
   Glycyrrhetinic Acid also exhibits hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, lipid-regulating, antioxidant, oxygen free radical-scavenging, and acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting effects.