IGURATIMOD: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ITS MECHANISM, CLINICAL APPLICATION AND ANALYTICAL METHOD DEVELOPMENT

Nirmala G.*, Murugan S. and Vetrichelvan T.

ABSTRACT

Iguratimod (IGU) is a novel synthetic small molecule Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (DMARD) approved in Japan and China for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). IGU demonstrates unique immunomodulatory properties by inhibiting cytokine production, regulating T lymphocyte subsets, and promoting bone formation while inhibiting bone resorption. This review explores IGU's mechanisms of action, including its anti-inflammatory, immune-regulatory, and bone metabolism-modulating effects. Clinical studies highlight IGU's efficacy and tolerability, particularly in combination therapies for patients unresponsive to standard treatments. Additionally, this article discusses recent advancements in analytical methods for IGU, including HPTLC, UPLC-MS/MS, and HPLC, which enhance its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluations. Future translational studies may broaden IGU's applications to autoimmune conditions beyond RA, cementing its role in innovative therapeutic strategies.

Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, Iguratimod, Clinical application, Analytical methods.