Carbenoxolone

Carbenoxolone (CBX) is a glycyrrhetinic acid derivative with a steroid-like structure, similar to substances found in the root of the licorice plant. Carbenoxolone is used for the treatment of peptic, esophageal and oral ulceration and inflammation. Electrolyte imbalance is a serious side effect of carbenoxolone when used systemically.^[1]

Carbenoxolone

Clinical data
Trade names	Biogastrone, others
AHFS/Drugs.com	International Drug Names
ATC code	A02BX01 (WHO)
Identifiers
IUPAC name (3β)-3-[(3-carboxypropanoyl)oxy]-11-oxoolean-12-en-30-oic acid OR (2S,4aS,6aS,6bR,8aR,10S,12aS,12bR,14bR)-10-(3-carboxypropanoyloxy)-2,4a,6a,6b,9,9,12a-heptamethyl-13-oxo-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,6b,7,8,8a,9,10,11,12,12a,12b,13,14b-icosahydropicene-2-carboxylic acid
CAS Number	5697-56-3 Y
PubChem CID	636403
IUPHAR/BPS	4151
DrugBank	DB02329 Y
ChemSpider	552190 Y
UNII	MM6384NG73
ChEMBL	ChEMBL499915 Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID4022733
ECHA InfoCard	100.024.704
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C34H50O7
Molar mass	570.767 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
SMILES O=C(O)CCC(=O)O[C@H]4CC[C@@]3([C@H]5C(=O)/C=C2/[C@@H]1C[C@](C(=O)O)(C)CC[C@]1(C)CC[C@]2([C@@]5(CC[C@H]3C4(C)C)C)C)C
InChI InChI=1S/C34H50O7/c1-29(2)23-10-13-34(7)27(32(23,5)12-11-24(29)41-26(38)9-8-25(36)37)22(35)18-20-21-19-31(4,28(39)40)15-14-30(21,3)16-17-33(20,34)6/h18,21,23-24,27H,8-17,19H2,1-7H3,(H,36,37)(H,39,40)/t21-,23-,24-,27+,30+,31-,32-,33+,34+/m0/s1 Y Key:OBZHEBDUNPOCJG-WBXJDKIVSA-N Y
NY (what is this?)  (verify)

Carbenoxolone reversibly inhibits the conversion of inactive cortisone to cortisol by blocking 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD). 11β-HSD also reversibly catalyzes the conversion of 7-ketocholesterol to 7-beta-hydroxycholesterol.^[2][3]

Carbenoxolone is a modestly potent, reasonably effective, water-soluble blocker of gap junctions.^[4]

Carbenoxolone has also been used in topical creams such as Carbosan gel, marketed for treatment of lip sores and mouth ulcers.

Nootropic effects

Carbenoxolone has also been investigated for nootropic effects.^[5] This research started from an observation that long-term exposure to glucocorticoids may have negative effects on cognition. Carbenoxolone may decrease the amount of active glucocorticoid in the brain, because the drug inhibits 11β-HSD, an enzyme which regenerates cortisol, an active glucocorticoid, from inactive cortisone.

In the research trial investigating this use of carbenoloxone, it was shown that the drug improved verbal fluency in elderly healthy men (aged 55–75). In type 2 diabetics aged 52–70, the drug improved verbal memory. However, potassium-sparing diuretic amiloride was co-administered with carbenoxolone, since carbenoxolone used by itself may cause hypertension by increasing cortisol in the kidneys.

See also

• 11α-Hydroxyprogesterone