Glycosides – Glycyrrhetinic acid MCQs With Answer

Glycosides – Glycyrrhetinic acid MCQs With Answer

Glycyrrhetinic acid, the aglycone of glycyrrhizin from licorice (Glycyrrhiza spp.), is a triterpenoid with important pharmacological and toxicological implications for B.Pharm students. This compound exhibits anti-inflammatory, antiviral, hepatoprotective and mineralocorticoid-like effects by modulating cortisol metabolism (11β-HSD2 inhibition), interacting with CYP enzymes, and undergoing intestinal bacterial hydrolysis. Analytical topics include extraction, HPLC/HPTLC assays, detection reagents and formulation strategies to improve solubility and bioavailability. Understanding structure–activity relationships, adverse effects (pseudoaldosteronism), drug interactions and standardization markers is essential for pharmaceutical practice. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. What is the origin of glycyrrhetinic acid?

• Hydrolysis product (aglycone) of glycyrrhizin from licorice
• Synthetic steroid derivative unrelated to plants
• Primary alkaloid from Cinchona bark
• Peptide antibiotic produced by Streptomyces

Correct Answer: Hydrolysis product (aglycone) of glycyrrhizin from licorice

Q2. Glycyrrhetinic acid belongs to which chemical class?

• Triterpenoid aglycone (oleanane-type)
• Flavonoid glycoside
• Alkaloid
• Polypeptide

Correct Answer: Triterpenoid aglycone (oleanane-type)

Q3. The principal biochemical mechanism by which glycyrrhetinic acid causes pseudoaldosteronism is:

• Inhibition of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2)
• Direct agonism of aldosterone receptors only in the kidney
• Activation of renin secretion from juxtaglomerular cells
• Irreversible inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase

Correct Answer: Inhibition of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2)

Q4. Which clinical adverse effects are most characteristic of excessive glycyrrhetinic acid exposure?

• Hypokalemia, hypertension and edema (pseudoaldosteronism)
• Neutropenia and agranulocytosis
• Severe hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis
• Profound immunosuppression with opportunistic infections

Correct Answer: Hypokalemia, hypertension and edema (pseudoaldosteronism)

Q5. How is glycyrrhetinic acid formed from glycyrrhizin in the human body?

• Hydrolysis by intestinal bacteria (microbial beta-glucuronidase)
• Oxidative metabolism in hepatic mitochondria
• Direct absorption of glycyrrhetinic acid from dietary sources without modification
• Conjugation with glutathione in enterocytes

Correct Answer: Hydrolysis by intestinal bacteria (microbial beta-glucuronidase)

Q6. Which analytical technique is most widely used for quantifying glycyrrhetinic acid in pharmaceutical samples?

• Reverse-phase HPLC (often with UV or LC-MS detection)
• Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID)
• Gel permeation chromatography
• Capillary electrophoresis without derivatization

Correct Answer: Reverse-phase HPLC (often with UV or LC-MS detection)

Q7. The core skeleton of glycyrrhetinic acid is best described as:

• Oleanane pentacyclic triterpene
• Indole alkaloid scaffold
• Flavone backbone
• Steroidal cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene

Correct Answer: Oleanane pentacyclic triterpene

Q8. Which functional groups are key features of glycyrrhetinic acid’s structure?

• Carboxylic acid group and multiple hydroxyl functionalities
• Primary amine and thiol group
• Phosphate ester and aldehyde group
• Conjugated diene and nitrile group

Correct Answer: Carboxylic acid group and multiple hydroxyl functionalities

Q9. Glycyrrhetinic acid solubility properties are described as:

• Poorly soluble in water; soluble in ethanol, methanol and other organic solvents
• Highly soluble in water and insoluble in organic solvents
• Only soluble in concentrated acids
• Highly volatile and soluble in nonpolar gases

Correct Answer: Poorly soluble in water; soluble in ethanol, methanol and other organic solvents

Q10. Which of the following is NOT a recognized pharmacological action of glycyrrhetinic acid?

• Antiviral activity
• Hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects
• Potent insulin secretagogue effect causing marked hypoglycemia
• Mineralocorticoid-like effects through cortisol metabolism modulation

Correct Answer: Potent insulin secretagogue effect causing marked hypoglycemia

Q11. Which enzyme activity in gut microbiota is primarily responsible for converting glycyrrhizin to glycyrrhetinic acid?

• Beta-glucuronidase
• Nitroreductase
• Monoamine oxidase
• Cholesterol esterase

Correct Answer: Beta-glucuronidase

Q12. For TLC/HPTLC detection of glycyrrhetinic acid, which spray reagent commonly gives characteristic color development?

• Anisaldehyde–sulfuric acid reagent
• Ninhydrin reagent
• Bromothymol blue
• Dragendorff’s reagent

Correct Answer: Anisaldehyde–sulfuric acid reagent

Q13. Glycyrrhetinic acid affects cortisol metabolism by preventing the conversion of:

• Cortisol to cortisone (via 11β-HSD2 inhibition)
• Cortisone to cortisol (activation)
• Testosterone to dihydrotestosterone
• Aldosterone to dehydroaldosterone

Correct Answer: Cortisol to cortisone (via 11β-HSD2 inhibition)

Q14. Which semisynthetic derivative of glycyrrhetinic acid has been used clinically as an antiulcer agent?

• Carbenoxolone
• Prednisone
• Amphotericin B
• Metformin

Correct Answer: Carbenoxolone

Q15. For pharmacokinetic studies of glycyrrhetinic acid, the preferred biological matrix and analytical technique are:

• Plasma/serum analyzed by LC-MS/MS or HPLC
• Urine analyzed by paper chromatography
• Saliva analyzed by infrared spectroscopy
• Hair analyzed by colorimetric test

Correct Answer: Plasma/serum analyzed by LC-MS/MS or HPLC

Q16. In topical pharmaceutical formulations glycyrrhetinic acid is primarily used for:

• Anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant effects in dermatological products
• As a sunscreen enhancer for UV protection
• As a systemic antibiotic delivered via skin
• As an emollient only, without pharmacological activity

Correct Answer: Anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant effects in dermatological products

Q17. The approximate pKa of the carboxylic acid group in glycyrrhetinic acid is closest to:

• About 4.5 (typical for triterpenic carboxylic acids)
• About 1.0
• About 9.5
• About 13.0

Correct Answer: About 4.5 (typical for triterpenic carboxylic acids)

Q18. In glycyrrhizin the sugar moiety is attached to the aglycone at which position?

• At the C-3 hydroxyl position of the aglycone
• At the terminal carboxyl carbon only
• Through an amide linkage on the ring D
• By ether linkage at C-17

Correct Answer: At the C-3 hydroxyl position of the aglycone

Q19. Co-administration of glycyrrhetinic acid-containing preparations is most risky with which class of drugs?

• Potassium-losing diuretics (e.g., thiazides)
• Beta-lactam antibiotics
• Topical antifungals
• H2 receptor antagonists

Correct Answer: Potassium-losing diuretics (e.g., thiazides)

Q20. What is the principal glycoside present in licorice used as a marker for standardization?

• Glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid)
• Quercetin
• Caffeic acid
• Silymarin

Correct Answer: Glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid)

Q21. The anti-inflammatory action of glycyrrhetinic acid is partly due to:

• Modulation of glucocorticoid metabolism and inhibition of inflammatory mediators
• Direct DNA intercalation causing anti-proliferative effects only
• Acting as a COX-2 selective inhibitor identical to celecoxib
• Blocking acetylcholine receptors in peripheral nerves

Correct Answer: Modulation of glucocorticoid metabolism and inhibition of inflammatory mediators

Q22. Glycyrrhetinic acid has been reported to interact with which cytochrome P450 enzyme?

• CYP3A4 (potential inhibitory interactions)
• CYP2E1 only with no effect on others
• CYP1A2 as a sole activator
• No interactions with any CYP enzymes

Correct Answer: CYP3A4 (potential inhibitory interactions)

Q23. The primary route of elimination for glycyrrhetinic acid and its conjugates is:

• Biliary excretion with enterohepatic recirculation
• Exhalation via lungs
• Exclusive renal excretion as unchanged drug
• Metabolism to CO2 and water excreted in sweat

Correct Answer: Biliary excretion with enterohepatic recirculation

Q24. A typical HPLC mobile phase used for glycyrrhetinic acid analysis on C18 columns is:

• Acetonitrile–water with 0.1% formic or acetic acid (reverse-phase)
• Hexane only (normal phase)
• Pure water with no organic modifier
• 100% dimethylformamide

Correct Answer: Acetonitrile–water with 0.1% formic or acetic acid (reverse-phase)

Q25. Which compound is more directly responsible for systemic mineralocorticoid-like toxicity after oral licorice ingestion?

• Glycyrrhetinic acid (aglycone)
• Glycyrrhizin (intact diglycoside)
• Sucrose from the licorice confection
• Lanolin impurities in topical products

Correct Answer: Glycyrrhetinic acid (aglycone)

Q26. For UV detection in HPLC, glycyrrhetinic acid is often monitored near which wavelength?

• Approximately 254 nm
• 700 nm (near IR)
• 400–450 nm exclusively
• 100 nm (far UV) requiring vacuum optics

Correct Answer: Approximately 254 nm

Q27. Which pharmaceutical strategy is commonly used to improve the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble glycyrrhetinic acid?

• Complexation with cyclodextrins or formulation in lipid-based carriers
• Addition of powdered cellulose as diluent only
• Dry heating above decomposition temperature
• Administration as a nebulized aerosol only

Correct Answer: Complexation with cyclodextrins or formulation in lipid-based carriers

Q28. In herbal standardization of licorice extracts which compound is most frequently assayed as the quality marker?

• Glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid)
• Resveratrol
• Curcumin
• Artemisinin

Correct Answer: Glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid)

Q29. Carbenoxolone, a derivative of glycyrrhetinic acid, is pharmacologically characterized by:

• Inhibition of 11β-HSD and historical use as an antiulcer agent
• Selective beta-2 agonist activity in bronchi
• Potent antibacterial action against Pseudomonas
• Use as an anticoagulant like warfarin

Correct Answer: Inhibition of 11β-HSD and historical use as an antiulcer agent

Q30. Management of glycyrrhetinic acid–induced pseudoaldosteronism typically includes:

• Discontinuation of the source, potassium supplementation and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (e.g., spironolactone)
• Immediate use of loop diuretics without electrolyte monitoring
• High-dose intravenous insulin as first-line therapy
• No intervention; condition is always self-resolving without treatment

Correct Answer: Discontinuation of the source, potassium supplementation and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (e.g., spironolactone)

G S Sachin

I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.

Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com