Topical Glucocorticoids – A Review

The topical glucocorticoids represent the treatment of choice for many types of inflammatory dermatoses. Despite the extensive use of this class of drugs as first line therapy the mechanism of their action is uncertain. It is clear that the multiplicity of actions of the topical Glucocorticoids is an important facet of their scope in the treatment of dermal disorders. Current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of Glucocorticoids action has advanced significantly over the past decade with the realisation that multiple systems are responsible for transduction of Glucocorticoids effects at a molecular level. several inflammatory enzymes induced in inflammation are sites of inhibitory action of the Glucocorticoids, and the possibility that this occurs in the skin will be discussed paying particular attention to the inducible phospholipase A2, nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase system