Issue: 2005 > April > editorial

Liquorice and hypertension



EDITORIAL
S.H. van Uum
AbstractPDF

Abstract

Glycyrrhetinic acid, the active constituent of liquorice,
inhibits renal 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. This allows cortisol to stimulate mineralocorticoid receptors, which can result in hypertension and hypokalaemia. Treatment options are based on pathophysiological understanding.