Antiinflammatory activity of two novel derivatives of prednisolone.

The antiinflammatory activity of two new steroids synthesized by modifying the 17 beta-ketol side chain of prednisolone to the glycolate and glyoxylate methyl esters has been investigated in the carrageenin pedal edema test in rats. The two ester derivatives retained anti-inflammatory potency, nearly equivalent to that of the parent compound, when administered subcutaneously at the site of inflammation. However, the glyoxylate ester, when administered by systemic route, showed a weaker suppression of inflammation. The glycolate ester showed a reverse trend in that it was more effective when it was administered by systemic route than when it was applied topically.