Steroidal Nanodrugs Based on Pegylated Nanoliposomes Remote Loaded with Amphipathic Weak Acids Steroid Prodrugs as Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Inflammation is a vital physiological response for the survival of the organism. The inflammatory process is composed of three phases: acute inflammation, immune response, and chronic inflammation. Glucocorticosteroids (GCs) are widely used, highly efficacious anti-inflammatory drugs. This chapter presents strategies for the treatment of inflammation using nanotechnology include, targeting macrophages and targeting proinflammatory molecules. It discusses nanosterically stabilized liposomes (NSSL) for the treatment of diseases with an inflammatory component. Passive loading is defined as a loading of drug/agent during liposome preparation. For a stable encapsulation of drugs by the passive loading method, only highly hydrophobic or highly hydrophilic drugs can be used. The chapter investigates the therapeutic efficacy of GC nanodrug in several murine models for disease with an inflammatory component. Treatment with NSSL MPS reduced inflammation and demyelination in brains and spinal cords of mice with AT-EAE compared with free MPS-treated mice and control mice.