Carbenoxolone is a derivative of β-glycyrrhetinic acid , a major metabolite of glycyrrhizin, one of the main constituents of licorice. Similar to β-glycyrrhetinic acid and glycyrrhizin, carbenoxolone has been shown to exhibit anti-ulcerative and anti-inflammatory properties. Carbenoxolone inhibits 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1; ) conversion of cortisol to cortisone, which contributes to its potential to induce mineralocorticoid hypertension. It is also reported to inhibit 11β-HSD2 conversion of cortisone to cortisol resulting in improved cognitive and neuroprotective effects.
