Halobetasol propionate (BMY-30056) is the propionate salt form of halobetasol, a synthetic corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictor activities. Halobetasol, a topical steroid, diffuses across cell membranes to interact with cytoplasmic corticosteroid receptors located in both the dermal and intradermal cells, thereby activating gene expression of anti-inflammatory proteins mediated via corticosteroid receptor response element. Specifically, this agent induces phospholipase A2 inhibitory proteins, which inhibit the release of arachidonic acid, thereby inhibiting the biosynthesis of potent mediators of inflammation, such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes. As a result, halobetasol reduces edema, erythema, and pruritus through its cutaneous effects on vascular dilation and permeability.

Halobetasol propionate通过诱导磷脂酶A2抑制蛋白（统称为lipocortins）来发挥作用。这些蛋白质通过抑制其共同前体花生四烯酸的释放，控制了如前列腺素和白三烯这类强烈炎症介质的生物合成。花生四烯酸从膜磷脂质中通过磷脂酶A2释放。最初的相互作用是由于该化合物与细胞质糖皮质激素受体结合。结合受体后，新形成的受体-配体复合体转移到细胞核中，在目标基因的启动子区域的许多糖皮质激素反应元件（GRE）上结合。与DNA结合的受体然后与基本转录因子互动，从而增加特定目标基因表达。[1]