Biotransformation of 18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid by ginseng hairy root culture.

On administration of 18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid to hairy root cultures of Panax ginseng, three new biotransformation products, 30-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D- glucopyranosyl]18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid, 30-O-(6- O-malonyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid and 3-O-[6-O- malonyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid, were isolated together with three known compounds. Ginseng hairy roots showed the biotransformation abilities of glycosylation and malonylation to 18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid.