β-Glycyrrhetinic acid

β-Glycyrrhetinic acid is a major metabolite of glycyrrhizin, one of the main constituents of licorice. It inhibits 15-PGDH (15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase) leading to increased prostaglandin concentration in the digestive system. Displays anti-ulcerative, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. In addition, β-Glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits mammalian DNA polymerases α, γ, κ, and λ with IC₅₀ values of 16.1, 19.3, 15.8, and 13.7 μM, respectively. Also protects liver against the toxic effect of chemotherapeutic alkylating agents via activation of Nrf2 (NF-E2-related factor-2) and PPARγ.