GLYCYRRHETINIC ACID AND ITS DERIVATIVES: CHEMICAL PROPERTIES, STRUCTURAL FEATURES AND BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Abstrak

Glycyrrhetinic acid is a pentacyclic triterpenoid compound obtained through the hydrolysis of glycyrrhizin, the major bioactive component of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). Due to its unique chemical structure and diverse functional groups, glycyrrhetinic acid and its derivatives have attracted considerable attention in pharmaceutical, biochemical, and medicinal chemistry research. This review analyzes the chemical properties, structural characteristics, synthesis pathways, and biological significance of glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives. Particular emphasis is placed on the relationship between molecular structure and biological activity, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, hepatoprotective, and anticancer effects. The chemical modification of glycyrrhetinic acid has resulted in numerous derivatives with improved pharmacological properties and enhanced therapeutic potential. Understanding the chemical behavior of glycyrrhetinic acid provides important perspectives for the development of new bioactive molecules.