Fluocinolone

**Semantic type:** Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A synthetic glucocorticoid with anti-inflammatory and antipruritic activities. Fluocinolone binds the glucocorticoid receptor, followed by translocation of the ligand-receptor complex to the nucleus and transcription activation of genes containing glucocorticoid-responsive elements. Lipocortin-1 is one factor induced by fluocinolone that interacts with and inhibits cytosolic phospholipase 2 alpha, thereby preventing phospholipase translocation to the perinuclear membrane and subsequent release and conversion of arachidonic acid to inflammatory prostaglandins. In addition, MAPK phosphatase 1 is induced, thereby preventing the triggering of the MAPK cascade resulting in pro-inflammatory effects via Jun N-terminal kinase and c-Jun. Finally, fluocinolone binds to and inhibits nuclear factor kappa-B directly, resulting in inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2 transcription and subsequent prostaglandin synthesis.

**Synonyms:** - 6-alpha,9-Difluoro-11-beta,16-alpha-17,21-tetrahydroxypregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione - 6-alpha-Fluorotriamcinolone - FLUOCINOLONE