Enhancement of activity and/or duration of action of selected anti-inflammatory steroids for topical or other local application

摘要

Methods and compositions for enhancing the activity and/or duration of action of soft anti-inflammatory steroids of the haloalkyl 17alpha-alkoxy-11beta-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one-17beta-carboxylate type and the corresponding Delta^1,4 compounds and of anti-inflammatory steroids of the hydrocortisone and prednisolone type are described. The enhancing agents have the formula: wherein R is H or C₁-C₄ alkyl; Z₁ is carbonyl or beta-hydroxymethylene; X₁ is -O- or -S-; R₅ is -OH, -OR₆, -OCOOR₆ or -OCOR₇ wherein R₆ is C₁-C₄ alkyl and R₇ is C₁-C₄ alkyl, fluoromethyl or chloromethyl; and the dotted line in ring A indicates that the 1,2-linkage is saturated or unsaturated; with the proviso that when R is C₁-C₄ alkyl, then R₅ is -OH.