Glycyrrhetinic acid from liquorice

The mineralocorticoid aldosterone is also produced by the adrenal cortex and promotes retention of H20 and Na+ and loss of K+ by the kidney. Cortisol is also an agonist of the aldosterone receptor but the level of cortisol is kept low by type 2 11 (Thydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, which converts cortisol to the inactive cortisone (11-dehydrocortisol). Accordingly inhibition of this enzyme by 18(i>-glycyrrhetinic acid (from liquorice) elevates cortisol with consequent effects of H20 and Na+ retention, oedema and hypertension. Further potential sites of interference by plant substances with steroid hormone metabolism include enzymes involved in steroid hormone synthesis such as the cytochrome P450-linked 11 -hydroxylase that catalyses the last step of corticosterone synthesis. 

Glycyrrhiziu.—Anon-crystallizable, yellowish, pulverulent principle, obtained from liquorice soluble with difficulty in cold water, soluble in hot water, alcohol, and ether bitter-sweet in taste. By long boiling witli dilute acids it is decomposed into glucose and glycyrrhetin, CisH,b04. 

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