Chemical Modification of Glycyrrhetinic Acid in Relation to the Biological Activities

Abstract

Several modified derivatives of glycyrrhetinic acid were prepared for obtaining compounds which are devoid of aldosterone-like properties and retain or enhance the therapeutic activities of the mother compound. Among them, olean-12-en-3β, 30-diol showed antiallergic and antiulcerous activities without inhibition of Δ⁴-5α- and Δ⁴-5β-reductases of 3-keto-Δ⁴-steroids. This compound was prepared in a good yield from glycyrrhetinic acid by reduction with sodium bis (2-methoxyethoxy) aluminum hydride followed by catalytic hydrogenation of the intermediate with Pd-C.