Glucocorticoids are recognized for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects and hence are most widely to control inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. A great deal of effort has been invested in identifying compounds that separate the beneficial anti-inflammatory effects from the adverse metabolic effects of glucocorticoids. It is clear that for these efforts to be effective, a greater understanding is required of the mechanisms by which glucocorticoids exert their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive actions.
Glucocorticoids are widely used to treat both acute and chronic inflammations, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and eczema. Recent research is focusing light on some of the mechanisms exhibited by glucocorticoids. Natural and synthetic glucocorticoids remain at the forefront of anti-inflammatory and…
