Molecular target
Mineralocorticoid Receptor
Aldosterone receptor in the distal nephron. Antagonism (spironolactone, eplerenone) is the mechanism of K-sparing diuretics; also relevant in heart failure and primary hyperaldosteronism. Glycyrrhizin (in non-deglycyrrhizinated licorice) inhibits 11β-HSD2 → cortisol-mediated mineralocorticoid effects → potassium-wasting hypertension.
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Pharmaceutical agents
Drugs that act on Mineralocorticoid Receptor
These medications have Mineralocorticoid Receptor among their molecular targets. Sharing a target is a mechanistic relationship — it does not make any plant below an alternative to, or substitute for, these drugs.
Botanical connections
Plants whose compounds act on Mineralocorticoid Receptor
Each plant below contains a named compound documented to act on Mineralocorticoid Receptor. The compound and the reason for the connection are shown on every edge — a shared mechanism, not a therapeutic equivalence.
- Glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid)Triterpene saponin
Inhibits 11β-HSD2, the enzyme that inactivates cortisol in the kidney — endogenous cortisol then activates the mineralocorticoid receptor, producing pseudo-aldosterone effects (hypertension, hypokalemia, sodium retention). This is a HIGH-impact pharmacological effect at chronic doses, NOT a benign 'tonic' action.
- Glycyrrhetinic acid (active metabolite)Triterpene
Active metabolite produced by gut hydrolysis of glycyrrhizin; carries the same pharmacology.