Glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives: Anti-nociceptive activity of deoxoglycyrrhetol dihemiphthalate and the related compounds

Abstract
The possible inhibitory effect of deoxoglycyrrhetol dihemiphthalate (I) and the related compounds (18β-olean-9(11), 12-diene-3β,30-diol) (II) and (olean-11,13(18)-diene-3β,30-diol) III derived from glycyrrhetinic acid has been examined on acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. The compounds inhibited writhing dose-dependently. Their ED50 values were 14,31 and 22 mg kg−1 for I, II, and III, respectively. The compounds like aspirin, also significantly suppressed PGE2 production in peritoneal fluid together with the writhing response. The results suggests that the analgesic effect of deoxoglycyrrhetol dihemiphthalate and the related compounds is partially due to inhibition of PGE2 production.