18β-甘草次酸是甘草的主要活性成分之一。由于其较好的生理活性、生物相容性和较低的不良反应,因而成为重要的医药中间体,具有广阔的临床应用和开发前景。综述了自1937年至今,18β-甘草次酸在结构修饰改造、生物活性等方面的重要研究进展,将为甘草这一传统中药材现代化研究开发提供一定的理论依据。 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid is one of the major active ingredients of licorice. Because of its better physiological activity, biocompatibility and lower adverse reactions, it has become an important pharmaceutical intermediates, with broad clinical applications and development prospects. The research progress of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid in the aspects of structural modification, biological activity and so on since 1937 is reviewed. It will provide a theoretical basis for the modernization research and development of licorice.