Hydrocortisone 21-hemisuccinate (sodium salt)

Hydrocortisone 21-hemisuccinate (sodium salt) (CAS No.: 125-04-2) is an orally active glucocorticoid derivative widely utilized in biomedical research as a modulator of inflammatory and immune responses. As a synthetic analog of endogenous corticosteroids, it exerts its effects primarily through activation of the glucocorticoid receptor, leading to transcriptional regulation of anti-inflammatory genes and suppression of proinflammatory signaling pathways. This compound has been shown to inhibit cytokine activity, including interleukin-6 and interleukin-3, with reported inhibitory effects in the low micromolar range, reflecting its capacity to attenuate key mediators of immune activation. Through glucocorticoid receptor–dependent mechanisms, it influences multiple downstream pathways involved in cellular stress responses, immune cell differentiation, and cytokine production. Hydrocortisone 21-hemisuccinate (sodium salt) is commonly employed in cell-based and animal models to investigate the pathophysiology of inflammatory diseases, including ulcerative colitis, as well as to evaluate anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies. Experimental concentrations and dosing regimens vary depending on specific study designs, but its consistent use in preclinical systems underscores its relevance as a reference compound for glucocorticoid-mediated pharmacological modulation.