NO-prednisolone (NCX-1015) is a compound that effectively stimulates the production of IL-10 in vivo. It is a Prednisolone derivative that releases nitric oxide (NO).

'NO-prednisolone (NCX-1015) demonstrates superior effectiveness compared to Prednisolone in reducing inflammation, inhibiting the generation of cytokines and chemokines, and enhancing the expression of the steroid-sensitive cell-surface marker CD163 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.[1]
Additionally, NO-prednisolone exhibits greater potency than Prednisolone in inducing CD163 cell surface expression. This heightened efficacy of NO-prednisolone, relative to the parent molecule Prednisolone, is also observed in the inhibition of IL-1β production induced by LPS (lipopolysaccharide).[2]'

In vivo, NO-prednisolone (NCX-1015) potently stimulates IL-10 production, suggesting that the NO steroid induces a regulatory subset of T cells that negatively modulates intestinal inflammation. The two doses of NO-prednisolone tested, 0.5 and 5 mg/kg/day effectively attenuate the severity of the wasting syndrome, ameliorate the colitis score, and reduce the colonic myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. NO-prednisolone administration also reduces the colonic mRNA and protein content of tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-12, and IFN-γ. NO-prednisolone also reduces the expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. In a chronic model of granulomatous tissue inflammation, administration of NCX-1015 (13.9 μmol/kg）can effectively reduce the weight of dry granulomas, while exhibiting a lower anti-angiogenic effect.[1]