What Is Glycyrrhizic Acid?
Glycyrrhizic acid is a triterpene glycoside consisting of two molecules of glucuronic acid attached to glycyrrhetinic acid.
It is also called glycyrrhizin. It is known to be contained in licorice, a leguminous plant, and is used in many Chinese medicines.
Uses of Glycyrrhizic Acids
Glycyrrhizic acid has a number of uses. Glycyrrhizic acid has been reported to have physiological activities such as detoxification, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and antitussive effects. Because of these characteristics, it is widely used as a food additive and in pharmaceuticals.
1. Pharmaceuticals
Glycyrrhizic acids are a constituent of licorice and are found in many Chinese herbal formulas. Dried licorice containing 2.0% or more of glycyrrhizic acids is used as a drug, and the Japanese Pharmacopoeia lists it as a crude drug in the form of a powder, extract, crude extract, or scorched licorice.
In addition, the following are Chinese herbal formulas that contain licorice and glycyrrhizic acids. Each of these requires glycyrrhizic acids for quality testing.
- Otsuji-tou (Chinese herbal medicine)
- Kuzune-to
- Kagawa-kun spicy barbiturates
- Kami Shoyosan
- Kami Kisunyu
- Shibako-Keishitou
- Shibabakuto
- Shiba Lingyin Tang
- Peony Licorice Tang
- Juzen-daiho-tang
- Koshibakuto
- Koseongryu-to
- Daewo Glycyrrhiza Tang
- Tsuritosan
- Shouki-shoukitou
- Mugimondaitou
- Hanxia shashinto
- Byakkokaninjinto
- Bogi Huangqi Tang
- Bofu Tongsheng Tang
- Ho-Chung Ki-Ki-To
- Mao-huang-tang
- Rikunjitou
In addition, it is also contained in gargle medicine, lozenges for throat inflammation, topical analgesics, skin softeners, rhinitis medicine, nasal drops, eye drops, and gastrointestinal medicines.
2. Quasi-Drugs
The following substances are listed in the quasi-drug ingredient standards and can be used in quasi-drugs.
- Glycyrrhizic Acids
- Trisodium Glycyrrhizic Acids
- Dipotassium Glycyrrhizic Acids
- Monoammonium Glycyrrhizic Acids
- Monoammonium alpha-glycyrrhizic Acids
- Glycyrrhiza extract powder
These are used in medicated soaps, shampoos, and sunscreens, and are believed to be effective against rough skin.
3. Food Additives
In the official list of food additives, there are three substances listed as containing glycyrrhizic acid: Glycyrrhizic Acids Extract, Disodium Glycyrrhizate, and Enzyme-Degraded Glycyrrhizic Acids. These are all used as sweeteners.
Licorice extract, which contains glycyrrhizic acids, is used as a natural sweetener because of its unique sweetness. Its sweetness is estimated to be 50 to 200 times that of sugar, and it is particularly effective in relieving saltiness. There are standards for its use as a food additive, and it is only allowed to be used in soy sauce and miso.
4. Cosmetics
Glycyrrhizic acids are on the list of active ingredients in so-called medicated cosmetics. Cosmetics containing glycyrrhizic acids are treated as so-called medicated cosmetics.
Properties of Glycyrrhizic Acids
1. Structure
2. Molecular Formula: C42h62o16
3. Molecular Weight: 822.94
4. INCI Name: Glycyrrhizic Acid
5. Melting Point: 220°C (Decomposition)
6. CAS: 1405-86-3
Other Information on Glycyrrhizic Acids
1. Action of Glycyrrhizic Acids
Glycyrrhizic acids actions are varied and mainly include the following:
- Anti-inflammatory action
- Anti-allergic action
- Immunomodulatory action
- Inhibition of hepatocyte damage
- Hepatocyte proliferation promotion
- Viral proliferation suppression action
- Repair of dermatitis
2. Side Effects of Glycyrrhizic Acids
Pseudohypoaldosteronism is a very rare disorder in frequency. However, it can cause weakness, numbness, tightness, and stiffness in the limbs, as well as a feeling of weakness, limpness, and muscle pain. Licorice is found in many Chinese herbal preparations and should be used with caution when concomitant medications are used.
3. The Maximum Amount of Glycyrrhizic Acids in a Quasi-Drug or Cosmetic
When used in quasi-drugs and cosmetics, the following maximum limits are set in the list of additives for quasi-drugs as the total of glycyrrhizic acids and its salts and glycyrrhizic acids and its derivatives.
- Medicated soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc., hair remover 0.8
- Hair-growing agents 0.3
- Other medicated cosmetics, axillary odor control agents, and repellents 0.3
- Medicated mouthwashes 0.2
- Medicated toothpastes 0.2
- Bath additives 0.2
As hair dyes and permanent waving agents, glycyrrhizic acid, trisodium glycyrrhizate, dicaryl glycyrrhizate, monoammonium glycyrrhizate, beta-glycyrrhizic acid, glyceryl glycyrrhizate, stearyl glycyrrhizate, glycyrrhizinyl stearate, and glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhizic acid are used as hair dye and permanent wave agents. are converted to glycyrrhizic acids and glycyrrhetinic acids, and the total of glycyrrhizic acids and glycyrrhetinic acids is defined as 0.8%.