Corticosteroids are a group of anti-inflammatory drugs similar to the natural corticosteroid hormones produced by the cortex of the adrenal glands . Among the disorders that often improve with corticosteroid treatment are asthma , allergic rhinitis , eczema and rheumatoid arthritis.
How these anti-inflammatory agents inhibit late phase allergic reactions occurs via a variety of mechanisms, including decreasing the density of mast cells along mucosal surfaces, decreasing chemotaxis and activation of eosinophils , decreasing cytokine production by lymphocytes , monocytes , mast cells and eosinophils, inhibiting the metabolism of arachidonic acid and other mechanisms. But for the side effects, corticosteroids would be the only drug needed for treating most allergic reactions. Much effort is underway to develop safer corticosteroids including topical application and modifying the molecules to preserve the anti-inflammatory properties while minimizing the undesirable side effects.

Glucocorticoid
Anti-Inflammatory Glucocorticoid, Inhaled Glucocorticoid, Oral Glucocorticoid

Glucocorticoids are anti-inflammatory , immunosuppressive and catabolic to skin tissue. Long-term use has inhibitory effects on DNA synthesis and cell division, which is considered to be causal to the side effects. Many people suffer the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome because they take glucocorticoid hormones such as prednisone for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or other inflammatory diseases.

Mineralocorticoid

Any of the group of C21 corticosteroids, principally aldosterone , which are predominantly involved in the regulation of electrolyte and water-balance through their effect on ion transport in epithelial cells of the renal tubules. This results in retention of sodium and loss of potassium. Some also possess varying degrees of glucocorticoidactivity. Their secretion is regulated principally by plasma volume, serum potassium concentration and angiotensin II and to a lesser extent by anterior pituitary ACTH.