Description

Glycyrrhizic acid is a kind of anti-inflammatory triterpene glycoside extracted from the licorice root. Inside the body, it can be metabolized to glycyrrhetinic acid which inhibits the 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and some other enzymes related to the corticosteroid metabolism. Glycyrrhizic acid has various pharmacological effects including suppressing hepatic apoptosis and necrosis, anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory actions, antiviral effects, antineoplastic and anticancer effects. It is the active ingredient of licorice root which is commonly used in the treatment of acute and chronic liver injury, viral hepatitis, hepatic steatosis, liver fibrosis, hepatoma, viral myocarditis and other diseases such as psoriasis or prostate cancer. Glycyrrhizic acid is also widely used as a sweetening and flavoring agent in food.

Chemical Properties

White to off-white powder

Uses

Glycyrrhizin is a flavorant and foaming agent derived from the separation of flavonoids found in the whole licorice extract from the licorice root glycyrrhiza glabra. It is 50–100 times as sweet as sugar, is soluble in water, and has a licorice taste. It has good heat stability but prolonged heating can result in some degradation. It is stable within ph 4–9; below ph 4 there could be precipitation. It has foaming and emulsifying properties in water, being used in cocktail mixes and soft drinks. It is used as a flavorant in bacon and imitation whipped products. It is synergistic with sugar, the sweetness being amplified to 100 times that of cane sugar alone. It is used as a sweetener in sugar-free chewing gum and low-fat sugar-free frozen desserts. It is also termed ammoniated glycyrrhizin. Monoammonium glycyrrhizinate is obtained by additional refinement.

Definition

ChEBI: A triterpenoid saponin that is the glucosiduronide derivative of 3beta-hydroxy-11-oxoolean-12-en-30-oic acid.

Safety Profile

Poison by intravenous route. Moderately toxic by ingestion and intraperitoneal routes. Human systemic effects by ingestion: somnolence and changes in the metabolism of phosphorus, When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.