Synthesis and biological activities of substituted glycyrrhetic acids

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jm00248a008

18β Glycyrrhetic acid (I) was converted in good yield to a 3 oxo 4,4 bis (nor 18β olean 4 ene) derivative in 25% overall yield. Derivatives of I substituted in the A, B, C, and E rings were also prepared. Several 11 deoxoglycyrrhetic acid derivatives exhibited desoxycortone antagonism. In particular, when administered subcutaneously, 3 oxo 18β olean 12 en 30 oic acid had about 75% the activity of spironolactone administered subcutaneously. Several compounds also exhibited weak antiviral and antiinflammatory properties.