Progesterone as an Anti-Inflammatory Drug and Immunomodulator: New Aspects in Hormonal Regulation of the Inflammation.

The specific regulation of inflammatory processes by steroid hormones has been actively studied in recent years, especially by progesterone (P) and progestins. The mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory P action are not fully clear. The anti-inflammatory effects of P can be defined as nonspecific, associated with the inhibition of NF-κB and COX, as well as the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, or as specific, associated with the regulation of T-cell activation, the regulation of the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and the phenomenon of immune tolerance.

Progestins as Anticancer Drugs and Chemosensitizers, New Targets and Applications.

Progesterone and its synthetic analogues, progestins, participate in the regulation of cell differentiation, proliferation and cell cycle progression. Progestins are usually applied for contraception, maintenance of pregnancy, and hormone replacement therapy. Recently, their effectiveness in the treatment of hormone-sensitive tumors was revealed.