Cortisone Acetate: Properties, Uses & Lab FAQs

Cortisone acetate is a synthetic glucocorticoid ester widely used as a reference standard and biochemical tool in steroid metabolism, anti-inflammatory pathway research, and enzyme activity studies.

CAS Number

50-04-4

Molecular Formula

C₂₃H₃₀O₆

Molecular Weight

402.48 g/mol

Appearance

White to off-white crystalline powder

Solubility

Sparingly soluble in water; soluble in ethanol, acetone, and DMSO

Storage Condition

Store at room temperature, protected from light and moisture

SKU

C129280

What Is Cortisone Acetate?

Cortisone acetate (CAS 50-04-4) is the C21-acetate ester of cortisone, a naturally occurring glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex. Esterification at the C21 hydroxyl group improves stability and alters the compound's pharmacokinetic profile relative to free cortisone. In biological systems, cortisone acetate is hydrolysed to cortisone, which is subsequently reduced by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) to the active glucocorticoid cortisol (hydrocortisone). As a research reagent, cortisone acetate is valued as an analytical reference standard, a biochemical substrate for enzyme assays, and a tool compound in steroid hormone metabolism studies.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Cortisone acetate is a white to off-white crystalline powder with the molecular formula C₂₃H₃₀O₆ and a molecular weight of 402.48 g/mol. It possesses a characteristic steroid tetracyclic ring system with ketone groups at C3 and C11, and an acetate ester at C21.

Solubility: Cortisone acetate is sparingly soluble in water. It dissolves readily in organic solvents including ethanol, acetone, methanol, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Stock solutions in DMSO are commonly prepared at 10–50 mM and diluted with aqueous buffer to a final DMSO concentration of ≤0.1% to avoid cytotoxic artefacts in cell-based assays.

Stability: The compound is stable under standard laboratory conditions when stored at room temperature in a tightly sealed container, away from light and moisture. Avoid prolonged exposure to strong acids or bases, which promote ester hydrolysis.

Research Applications

Cortisone acetate is used across several research disciplines:

• Enzyme activity assays: It serves as a substrate or reference compound in 11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2 enzyme activity studies, enabling quantification of interconversion between cortisone and cortisol.
• Analytical chemistry: As a certified or in-house reference standard, cortisone acetate is used to validate HPLC, LC-MS/MS, and GC-MS methods for steroid analysis in biological matrices such as plasma, urine, and tissue homogenates.
• Pharmacological and in vivo studies: Researchers use cortisone acetate to model glucocorticoid exposure in animal studies, investigate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis modulation, and evaluate anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
• Cell-based inflammation models: Cortisone acetate is employed to study glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signalling and downstream transcriptional regulation of inflammatory cytokines after bioactivation to cortisol.

Handling, Safety, and Storage

Personal protective equipment: Handle cortisone acetate wearing appropriate PPE including lab coat, nitrile gloves, and safety glasses. Avoid inhalation of dust; work in a well-ventilated area or fume hood when weighing.

Storage: Store at room temperature (15–25 °C) in the original tightly closed container, protected from light and humidity. Under these conditions, the compound is expected to be stable for at least two years from the date of manufacture. Always verify expiry date before use.

Disposal: Dispose of cortisone acetate and contaminated materials in accordance with local institutional and governmental regulations governing steroid hormone waste. Do not dispose of via the drain.

Safety classification: Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) supplied with SKU C129280 for detailed hazard classification, first-aid measures, and regulatory information. Glucocorticoids can affect adrenal function with prolonged systemic exposure; avoid chronic skin contact or inhalation.

Quality, Purity, and Ordering Information

Aladdin Scientific supplies cortisone acetate under SKU C129280. The reagent is intended for research use only and is not for human or veterinary therapeutic use.

Purity: Purity specifications are stated on the product Certificate of Analysis (CoA). Researchers requiring high purity for quantitative analytical work (e.g., as an external calibrator in LC-MS/MS bioanalytical assays) should confirm the certified purity value on the CoA before use and request a batch-specific CoA if needed.

Available quantities: Multiple pack sizes are available to suit discovery-scale experiments through to larger method-validation studies. Contact Aladdin Scientific for bulk or custom-quantity enquiries.

Documentation: Certificate of Analysis (CoA), Safety Data Sheet (SDS), and structural confirmation data (e.g., NMR, HPLC chromatogram) are available upon request.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between cortisone and cortisone acetate?

Cortisone is a naturally occurring glucocorticoid with a free C21 hydroxyl group, while cortisone acetate is its C21-acetate ester. Esterification increases lipophilicity and improves chemical stability. In vivo, cortisone acetate is hydrolysed by esterases to release free cortisone, so the two compounds share the same metabolic fate but differ in their physical properties and dissolution behaviour.

How should I prepare a stock solution of cortisone acetate for cell-based assays?

Dissolve cortisone acetate in DMSO to prepare a concentrated stock solution (typically 10–50 mM). Dilute into cell culture medium immediately before use to achieve the desired working concentration, ensuring the final DMSO concentration does not exceed 0.1% (v/v) to minimise solvent cytotoxicity. Prepare fresh dilutions each experiment day and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles of the stock solution.

Is cortisone acetate biologically active by itself, or does it require metabolic activation?

Cortisone acetate has minimal intrinsic glucocorticoid receptor (GR) binding activity. It requires sequential hydrolysis to cortisone and then reduction by 11β-HSD1 to cortisol before significant GR activation occurs. Consequently, biological activity in cell-based assays depends on the expression level of 11β-HSD1 in the cell system used; cells lacking this enzyme will show attenuated responses compared with cells that express it.

What analytical methods are suitable for quantifying cortisone acetate in samples?

Reversed-phase HPLC with UV detection (typically at 254 nm, exploiting the α,β-unsaturated ketone chromophore) is a common approach for purity assessment and quantification. LC-MS/MS provides higher sensitivity and selectivity for biological matrix analysis and is the gold-standard technique in bioanalytical applications. GC-MS with derivatisation is also applicable. Cortisone acetate can be used as an internal standard or calibrant in these methods.

What are the recommended storage conditions and shelf life for cortisone acetate (C129280)?

Store cortisone acetate at room temperature (15–25 °C) in its original tightly sealed container, protected from light and moisture. Under these conditions, the compound is expected to remain stable for at least two years. Always check the expiry date and batch-specific Certificate of Analysis before use. If the compound has been stored improperly or shows visible discolouration, request a fresh CoA or replace the material.

References

1. Draper N, Stewart PM. 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and the pre-receptor regulation of corticosteroid hormone action. J Endocrinol. 2005;186(2):251-271. doi:10.1677/joe.1.06019
2. Tomlinson JW, Walker EA, Bujalska IJ, et al. 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1: a tissue-specific regulator of glucocorticoid response. Endocr Rev. 2004;25(5):831-866. doi:10.1210/er.2003-0031
3. Cortisone acetate. PubChem Compound Summary CID 222757. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Accessed 2024.

Products are supplied for research and development use only. Not for use in humans, animals, diagnosis, or therapy.