Description
Flumethasone is a moderately potent difluorinated corticosteroid ester with anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and vasoconstrictive properties. Its mechanism of action is thought to inhibit arachidonic acids role in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Flumethasone is active when it is not bound to the plasma protein transcortin. The drug flumethasone can be used to treat a variety of skin conditions, such as contact dermatitis, bug bites and eczema.
Uses
- Flumethasone is an anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid used in veterinary practice and used as an anti-inflammatory for a variety of animals. It is commonly investigated for its effectiveness in animals to combat inflammatory symptoms caused by pathogens and to better understand inflammatory mechanisms. It is also used as to investigate novel techniques that detect and quantify steroid compounds within muscles.
- For the treatment of contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, exczema, psoriasis, diaper rash and other skin conditions.
- Flumethasone is a corticosteroid for topical use, in combination with Clioquinol for the treatment of otitis externa and otomycosis. Flumethasone shows fully 420 times the potency of cortisone in an animal model for anti-inflammatory activity.
- Flumethasone has been shown to exert anti-inflammtory effects by functioning as a glucocorticoid receptor agonist. Stimulating this receptor promotes inhibition of phospholipase A2 activity. This enzyme catalyzes arachidonic acid into eicosanoids most of which stimulate anti-inflammation mechanisms.
Application
- Flumethasone is a topical corticosteroid of the glucocorticoid class used in the treatment of skin disorders where it reduces inflammation.
- Flumethasone is insoluble in water.
- Flumethasone pivalate is a topical difluorinated corticosteroid ester with anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and vasoconstrictive properties. A prompt decrease in inflammation, exudation and itching is experienced after application.
- It is commonly used in veterinary practice and has been used in cortisol assays to study early porcine conceptus development.
Biological Activity
Flumethasone pivalate is a glucocorticoid receptor agonist used in studies on plasma transcortin binding. It binds to the nucleus causing a variety of genetic activations and repressions. The anti-inflammatory action of flumethasone is thought to involve lipocortins and phospholipase A2 inhibitory proteins, which results in the inhibition of arachidonic acid and the control of prostaglandin and leukotriene biosynthesis. Flumethasone suppresses the immune system due to a decrease in the function of the lymphatic system, a reduction in immunoglobulin and complement concentrations, the precipitation of lymphocytopenia, and interference with antigen-antibody binding.
Description
Flumethasone is an agonist of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors with EC
50 values of 0.26 and 0.494 nM, respectively, in CV-1 cells expressing human receptors.
In vitro, it inhibits the growth of UM-UC-3, TCC-SUP, and 5637 urothelial carcinoma cell lines at a concentration of 100 nM. Flumethasone (5 mg per animal) decreases tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production
ex vivo in blood cells collected by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from calves with experimentally-induced local lung inflammation. It also inhibits phytohemagglutinin-induced delayed hypersensitivity in calf skin.
In vivo, flumethasone (5 μM) impairs cell cycle re-entry of cardiac cells seven days post cryo-injury to the heart and impairs cardiac regeneration in zebrafish.
Chemical Properties
White Solid
Originator
Locacorten,Ciba,W. Germany,1964
Uses
A glucocorticoid. An anti-inflammatory.
Uses
topical anti-inflammatory corticosteroid
Definition
ChEBI: Flumethasone is a fluorinated steroid, a glucocorticoid, an 11beta-hydroxy steroid, a 17alpha-hydroxy steroid, a 21-hydroxy steroid, a 20-oxo steroid, a 3-oxo-Delta(1),Delta(4)-steroid, a primary alpha-hydroxy ketone and a tertiary alpha-hydroxy ketone. It has a role as an anti-inflammatory drug. It derives from a hydride of a pregnane.
Manufacturing Process
To approximately 1.3 g of hydrogen fluoride contained in a polyethylene bottle
and maintained at -60°C was added 2.3 ml of tetrahydrofuran and then a
solution of 500 mg (0.0012 mol) of 6α-fluoro-9β,11β-epoxy-16α-methyl-
17α,21-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione-21-acetate in 2 ml of
methylenechloride. The steroid solution was rinsed in with an additional 1 ml
of methylene chloride. The light red colored solution was then kept at
approximately -30°C for 1 hour and at -10°C for 2 hours. At the end of this period it was mixed cautiously with an excess of cold sodium bicarbonate
solution and the organic material extracted with the aid of additional
methylene chloride. The combined extracts were washed with water, dried
over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated to approximately 35 ml. The
solution was chromatographed over 130 g of Florisil anhydrous magnesium
silicate. The column was developed with 260 ml portions of hexanes
(Skellysolve B) containing increasing proportions of acetone. There was thus
eluted 6α,9α-difluoro-11β,17α,21-trihydroxy-16α-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-
3,20-dione 21-acetate which was freed of solvent by evaporation of the eluate
fractions.
brand name
Locorten (Novartis).
Therapeutic Function
Glucocorticoid, Antiinflammatory
Veterinary Drugs and Treatments
Flumethasone injection (Flucort?) is labeled in horses as indicated
for: 1) Musculoskeletal conditions due to inflammation, where permanent
structural changes do not exist, such as bursitis, carpitis,
osselets and myositis. Following therapy an appropriate period of
rest should be instituted to allow a more normal return to function
of the affected part. 2) In allergic states such as hives, urticaria and
insect bites.
Flumethasone injection (Flucort?) is labeled in dogs as indicated
for: 1) Musculoskeletal conditions due to inflammation of
muscles or joints and accessory structures, where permanent structural
changes do not exist, such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, the disc
syndrome and myositis. In septic arthritis appropriate antibacterial
therapy should be concurrently administered. 2) In certain acute
and chronic dermatoses of varying etiology to help control the pruritus,
irritation and inflammation associated with these conditions.
The drug has proven useful in otitis externa in conjunction with
topical medication for similar reasons. 3) In allergic states such as
hives, urticaria and insect bites. 4) Shock and shock-like states, by
intravenous administration.
Flumethasone injection (Flucort?) is labeled in cats as indicated
for certain acute and chronic dermatoses of varying etiology to help
control the pruritus, irritation and inflammation associated with
these conditions.
Glucocorticoids have been used in an attempt to treat practically
every malady that afflicts man or animal, but there are three broad
uses and dosage ranges for use of these agents. 1) Replacement of
glucocorticoid activity in patients with adrenal insufficiency, 2) as
an antiinflammatory agent, and 3) as an immunosuppressive.
Among some of the uses for glucocorticoids include treatment of:
endocrine conditions (e.g., adrenal insufficiency), rheumatic diseases
(e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), collagen diseases (e.g., systemic
lupus), allergic states, respiratory diseases (e.g., asthma), dermatologic
diseases (e.g., pemphigus, allergic dermatoses), hematologic
disorders (e.g., thrombocytopenias, autoimmune hemolytic anemias),
neoplasias, nervous system disorders (increased CSF pressure),
GI diseases (e.g., ulcerative colitis exacerbations), and renal
diseases (e.g., nephrotic syndrome). Some glucocorticoids are used
topically in the eye and skin for various conditions or are injected
intra-articularly or intra-lesionally. The above listing is certainly
not complete.
