18β-glycyrrhetinic acid: mechanisms of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action

18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-ga), a bioactive triterpenoid from licorice (glycyrrhiza glabra), demonstrates a broad spectrum of pharmacological actions, including hepatoprotective, antiviral, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulatory effects. glycyrrhizin is metabolized in the intestine to its active form, 18β-ga, which exhibits improved absorption and tissue distribution, crosses the blood-brain barrier to exert effects in the central nervous system, and remains in plasma for an extended period with a half-life ranging from 8 to 20 hours. 18β-ga facilitates the maintenance of cellular energy production by preventing mitochondrial damage and sustaining atp generation, thereby providing neuroprotective effects. it exerts potent antioxidant activity in the brain by activating antioxidant enzymes, neutralizing free radicals, and modulating the nrf2/ho-1 pathway. consequently, 18β-ga is considered to have potential benefits in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. 18β-ga suppresses neuroinflammation by inhibiting nf-κb and mapk signaling pathways. it reduces proinflammatory cytokines, including il-6 and tnf-α, and downregulates the expression of inflammatory enzymes such as cox-2 and inos. by modulating the inflammatory response, 18β-ga can mitigate inflammation-associated tissue damage and has potential therapeutic applications in various inflammatory diseases. in conclusion, 18β-ga exhibits significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by protecting mitochondrial functions, regulating neuroinflammation, and modulating key signaling pathways. animal studies have shown that this compound is effective in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby supporting the therapeutic potential of 18β-ga at the preclinical level. consequently, 18β-ga is considered to have potential benefits in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative and other inflammation-related diseases.