Steroids and Their Derivatives as Potential Drugs for Medicine

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Discovery, Development and Delivery".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2024) | Viewed by 4716

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Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Lethbridge College, 3000 College Drive South, Lethbridge, AB T1K 1L6, Canada
Interests: actinobacteria; fungal endophytes; yeast; microscopic fungi; microalgae; cyanobacteria; lichens; alkaloids; terpenoids; aromatic; lipids; fatty acids; peptides; antitumor; antiviral
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Steroids, a class of organic molecules, have been used in medicine for decades to treat a variety of conditions. Their diverse structures facilitate a broad range of biological activities, making them crucial for many physiological processes in the body. Recent developments have unveiled a plethora of steroid derivatives with promising therapeutic properties.

The therapeutic use of steroids has deep historical roots, with some of their applications dating back to ancient civilizations. Ancient Greeks, for instance, utilized the roots of certain plants, now known to contain steroids, to treat abrasions and infections. However, the modern era of steroid medicine began in the 20th century with the isolation of cortisone from adrenal gland extracts. This was a groundbreaking discovery, especially for those suffering from debilitating conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. The 1950s then saw the synthesis of anabolic steroids, substances that would later gain notoriety for their misuse in sports, but that were originally developed to treat muscle wasting in post-World War II Europe. As science advanced, so did our understanding of these powerful molecules, leading to the development of a plethora of steroid-based drugs, each tailored to specific medical applications, ranging from anti-inflammatory agents to hormone replacement therapies. The evolution of steroids in medicine is a testament to humanity's enduring quest to harness nature's molecules for healing and well-being.

Steroids and their derivatives have great prospects in medicine due to their diverse mechanisms and wide application. Articles that attempt to provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in this domain, while highlighting areas for future research and potential breakthroughs in medicine, are welcomed with great interest.

Prof. Dr. Valery M. Dembitsky
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • steroids
  • triterpenoids
  • heteroatom steroids
  • natural products
  • potential drugs
  • synthetic steroids
  • antitumor
  • antibacterial
  • antiviral

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1908 KiB  
Article
Fluocinolone Acetonide Implant for Uveitis: Dissecting Responder and Non-Responder Outcomes at a Tertiary Center
by Jasmin Abu Arif, Vitus André Knecht, Anne Rübsam, Vanessa Lussac, Zohreh Jami, Dominika Pohlmann, Bert Müller and Uwe Pleyer
Biomedicines 2024, 12(5), 1106; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12051106 - 16 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1228
Abstract
Macular edema (ME) remains a primary cause of visual deterioration in uveitis. Visual acuity (VA) can often be maintained using corticosteroid depot systems. This study evaluated the efficacy of a fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) intravitreal implant (ILUVIEN®) in treating non-infectious uveitis using [...] Read more.
Macular edema (ME) remains a primary cause of visual deterioration in uveitis. Visual acuity (VA) can often be maintained using corticosteroid depot systems. This study evaluated the efficacy of a fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) intravitreal implant (ILUVIEN®) in treating non-infectious uveitis using real-world data. This retrospective analysis included 135 eyes subdivided into responders and non-responders. Central retinal thickness (CRT), VA, and intraocular pressure (IOP) were followed over time. A significant decrease in CRT and an increase in VA were observed in all eyes throughout the follow-up period (p < 0.01). An IOP increase (p = 0.028) necessitated treatment in 43% of eyes by Month 6. Non-responders were older (p = 0.004) and had been treated with more dexamethasone (DEX) implants (p = 0.04); 89.3% had a defect in the external limiting membrane (ELM) and inner/outer segment (IS/OS) zone (p < 0.001). Immunomodulatory therapy had no impact on treatment response. Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) patients had a mean CRT reduction of 47.55 µm and a reduced effect by Month 24 (p = 0.046) versus non-PPV patients. We conclude that the FAc implant achieves long-term control of CRT and improves VA. Increases in IOP were manageable. Eyes with a previous PPV showed milder results. Data showed a correlation between older age, a damaged ELM and IS/OS zone, frequent DEX inserts, and poorer outcome measures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Steroids and Their Derivatives as Potential Drugs for Medicine)
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Review

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88 pages, 12367 KiB  
Review
Steroids Bearing Heteroatom as Potential Drugs for Medicine
by Valery M. Dembitsky
Biomedicines 2023, 11(10), 2698; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11102698 - 3 Oct 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2611
Abstract
Heteroatom steroids, a diverse class of organic compounds, have attracted significant attention in the field of medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. The biological profiles of heteroatom steroids are of considerable interest to chemists, biologists, pharmacologists, and the pharmaceutical industry. These compounds have shown [...] Read more.
Heteroatom steroids, a diverse class of organic compounds, have attracted significant attention in the field of medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. The biological profiles of heteroatom steroids are of considerable interest to chemists, biologists, pharmacologists, and the pharmaceutical industry. These compounds have shown promise as potential therapeutic agents in the treatment of various diseases, such as cancer, infectious diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions. Moreover, the incorporation of heteroatoms has led to the development of targeted drug delivery systems, prodrugs, and other innovative pharmaceutical approaches. Heteroatom steroids represent a fascinating area of research, bridging the fields of organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacology. The exploration of their chemical diversity and biological activities holds promise for the discovery of novel drug candidates and the development of more effective and targeted treatments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Steroids and Their Derivatives as Potential Drugs for Medicine)
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