Diammonium glycyrrhizinate, an extensively used anti-inflammatory agent, is isolated from the licorice root. It is metabolized to glycyrrhetinic acid, which inhibits 11-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and other enzymes involved in the metabolism of corticosteroids. Therefore, glycyrrhizic acid, the main and sweet component of licorice, has been studied for its ability to cause hypermineralocorticoidism with potassium loss and sodium retention, edema, increased blood pressure, as well as inhibited the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
