Best Communication Award for Research on Licorice

The award has been presented for research performed in the framework of ASPEX (Antiviral Spot of Excellence Vienna) on the chemical modification of glycyrrhetinic acid occurring in licorice roots (Glycyrrhizae glabra).  A multicomponent reaction (UGI-reaction) has been exploited as the basis for combinatorial syntheses leading to a large variety of compounds, which broaden the pharmaceutical potential of this natural product. In particular, the novel derivatives are being tested and further optimized as inhibitors of hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenases. Links: http://www.sciforum.net/conf/ecsoc-13 http://www.aspex-vienna.at/