One-Pot Synthesis of Glycyrrhetinic Acid from Licorice Root in Subcritical Water

Abstract—Glycyrrhetinic acid (GLA) was synthesized in a good yield from the roots of licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra L. by the one-pot method in subcritical water (SCW), which served as a reagent and solvent. This method for the synthesis of GLA makes it possible to avoid the use of expensive and toxic organic solvents and does not require separate extraction and hydrolysis stages. GLA is obtained in good yields within periods of time ten times shorter than needed when using conventional procedures. The method is promising for future development of inexpensive and environmentally friendly technologies for the synthesis of GLA and its derivatives in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries.