Substituted pyrazolo corticoids as topical antiinflammatory agents

The synthesis of a series of substituted pyrazolo corticoids is described. Of these 11beta,17alpha,21-trihydroxy-6,16alpha-dimethyl-4,6-pregnadieno[3,2-c]-2'-(4-pyridly)pyrazole (21) shows an excellent separation of systemic to local activity in the model animal test. Compound 21 exhibits high vasoconstriction activity in human volunteers and is clinically effective in the treatment of psoriasis.