Glycyrrhizin (or glycyrrhizic acid or glycyrrhizinic acid) is the chief
sweet-tasting constituent of ''Glycyrrhiza glabra'' (
liquorice) root. Structurally, it is a
saponin used as an
emulsifier and
gel-forming agent in foodstuffs and
cosmetics
Cosmetics are constituted mixtures of chemical compounds derived from either natural sources, or synthetically created ones. Cosmetics have various purposes. Those designed for personal care and skin care can be used to cleanse or protect ...
. Its
aglycone An aglycone (aglycon or genin) is the compound remaining after the glycosyl group on a glycoside is replaced by a hydrogen atom. For example, the aglycone of a cardiac glycoside would be a steroid molecule.
Detection
A way to identify aglycone ...
is
enoxolone.
Pharmacokinetics
After oral ingestion, glycyrrhizin is
hydrolysed
Hydrolysis (; ) is any chemical reaction in which a molecule of water breaks one or more chemical bonds. The term is used broadly for substitution, elimination, and solvation reactions in which water is the nucleophile.
Biological hydrolysis ...
to 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (enoxolone) by intestinal bacteria. After absorption from the gut, 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid is metabolised to 3β-monoglucuronyl-18β-glycyrrhetinic acid in the liver. This metabolite circulates in the bloodstream. Consequently, its oral bioavailability is poor. Most of it is eliminated by bile and only a minor part (0.31–0.67%) by urine.
After oral ingestion of 600 mg of glycyrrhizin the metabolite appeared in urine after 1.5 to 14 hours. Maximal concentrations (0.49 to 2.69 mg/L) were achieved after 1.5 to 39 hours and metabolite can be detected in the urine after 2 to 4 days.
[
]
Flavouring properties
Glycyrrhizin is obtained as an extract from licorice root after maceration and boiling in water.[ When in specified amounts, it is approved for use as a flavor and ]aroma
An odor (American English) or odour ( Commonwealth English; see spelling differences) is caused by one or more volatilized chemical compounds that are generally found in low concentrations that humans and animals can perceive via their se ...
in manufactured foods, beverages, candies, dietary supplements, and seasonings.[ It is 30 to 50 times as sweet as sucrose (table sugar).]
Adverse effects
The most widely reported side effect of glycyrrhizin use via consumption of black licorice is reduction of blood potassium
Potassium is the chemical element with the symbol K (from Neo-Latin ''kalium'') and atomic number19. Potassium is a silvery-white metal that is soft enough to be cut with a knife with little force. Potassium metal reacts rapidly with atmosph ...
levels, which can affect body fluid balance
Fluid balance is an aspect of the homeostasis of organisms in which the amount of water in the organism needs to be controlled, via osmoregulation and behavior, such that the concentrations of electrolytes ( salts in solution) in the various b ...
and function of nerves.[ may cause irregular heart rhythm, and may have adverse interactions with prescription drugs.][ In extreme cases, death can occur as a result of excess consumption.]
See also
* 11α-Hydroxyprogesterone
11α-Hydroxyprogesterone (11α-OHP), or 11α-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione is an endogenous steroid and metabolite of progesterone. It is a weak antiandrogen, and is devoid of androgenic, estrogenic, and progestogenic activity.
11α-OHP was in ...
* Glycyrrhetinic acid
* List of unusual deaths
This list of unusual deaths includes unique or extremely rare circumstances of death recorded throughout history, noted as being unusual by multiple sources.
Antiquity
Middle Ages
Renaissance
Early modern period
19th centur ...
References
External links
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11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitors
Triterpene glycosides
Sugar substitutes
Saponins