ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS OF GLYCYRRHETINIC ACID DERIVATIVES: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF RECENT STUDIES

Abstract

Inflammation is a fundamental biological response involved in the pathogenesis of numerous chronic diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic syndromes. Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid derived from glycyrrhizin, has attracted considerable scientific attention due to its anti-inflammatory potential. Recent advances in medicinal chemistry have led to the development of novel glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives with improved pharmacological properties. The present study critically analyzes three high-impact investigations published in Bioorganic Chemistry between 2020 and 2022. The selected studies explored the anti-inflammatory activity of structurally modified glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives through in vitro and in vivo models. The analysis focuses on pharmacological efficacy, molecular mechanisms, structure–activity relationships, and future therapeutic perspectives. The findings indicate that specific structural modifications significantly enhance anti-inflammatory activity through suppression of NF-κB, MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and oxidative stress-related pathways.