Psoriasis / Eczema Research
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) inhibits imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation of BALB/c mice
- Shuangshuang Zhang†,
- Xiangdong Liu†,
- Lihong Mei,
- Hongfeng Wang and
- Fang Fang
Abstract
Background Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory immune disease with undefined pathogenesis. It is associated with T cells, and the IL-23/IL17 axis is believed to be crucial in the pathogenesis. The present treatments have side effects that influence the compliance of patients. Tea polyphenol is extracted from tea polyphenols, and its main active ingredient is Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-ultraviolet radiation effects. Here, we aim to report that EGCG can inhibit imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like inflammation.
Methods We used BALB/c mice, which were topically treated with IMQ for 6 consecutive days, as a psoriasis mouse model. Topical application of EGCG and treatment with EGCG were conducted in the experiments. Then observed the effects of the two methods on psoriasis-like mice dermatitis. Statistics are presented as the means ± standard error of mean (SEM) and compared using unpaired two-tailed Student’s t tests or one-way ANOVA.
Results Topical application of EGCG alleviated psoriasiform dermatitis, improved the skin pathological structure by reduce the expression of epidermal PCNA, promoted the expression of caspase-14. Treatment with EGCG attenuated skin inflammation, accompanied by reduced infiltrations of T cells; reduced percentages of CD11c+DC in the composition of immunocytes of spleens; reduced levels of interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, IL-23 and malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma; increased percentages of CD4+ T cells in the composition of immunocytes of spleens; and increased bioactivities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in plasma.
Conclusions All the results demonstrated that EGCG had anti-inflammatory, immune regulatory and antioxidant effects. It is a promising intervention in psoriasis in the future.
Source : BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine
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Formula PSORI-CM01 eliminates psoriasis by inhibiting the expression of keratinocyte cyclin B2
- Jian-an Wei†,
- Ling Han†,
- Chuan-jian Lu†
- Rui-zhi Zhao†,
- Jing Sun,
- Yue Lu and
- Han-jie Lin
Abstract
Background Psoriasis is a chronically recurrent inflammatory skin disease, modern medicine could achieve good therapeutic effect, but these treatments led to recurrence of the psoriasis, more severe symptoms due to damaging skin barrier. Traditional Chinese medicine is a useful alternative therapies. The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanism of PSORI-CM01, a Chinese medicine formula for psoriasis therapy, in eliminating psoriasis by studying its effects on inhibiting epidermal hyperplasia.
Methods Imiquimod induced psoriasis-form mice model was used to determine the efficacy of PSORICM-01 by assessing the improvement of hyperplasia in epidermal and dermal skin, cyclin B2 expression in skin was detected by immunochemistry. Human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT stimulated by LPS or not was used to research molecular mechanisms of PSORIMCM-01 as in vitro model. The inhibition of proliferation of HaCaT was determined by MTT assay, BrdU assay and real-time cell analysis (RTCA). Cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry. Real-Time PCR and western blot analysis was performed to quantify the mRNA and protein expression levels, respectively. The ability of PSORICM-01 to inhibit proliferation of cyclin B2 overexpressed HaCaT cell were also investigated.
Results PSORI-CM01 significantly inhibited epidermal hyperplasia in IMQ mice lesion skin, and reduced expression of epidermis cyclin B2. Serum containing PSORI-CM01 dramatically inhibited keratinocyte HaCaT cell proliferation, no matter stimulated by LPS or not. FACS analysis showed ability of PSORICM-01 to arrest cell cycle in the G2/M phase. Additionally, PSORI-CM01 significant downregulated mRNA and protein expression of cyclin B2, and over-expression of cyclin B2 antagonized the anti-proliferative effect of PSORI-CM01 on HaCaT cells.
Conclusions PSORI-CM01 inhibits epidermal hyperplasia in imiquimod-induced mouse psoriasis-form model and reduces keratinocyte proliferation in vitro. Our results indicate that PSORI-CM01 may possess therapeutic potential for psoriasis by inhibiting keratinocyte proliferation through downregulation of cyclin B2.
Source : BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal
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Topical Application of Turmeric Extract Reduces the Severity of Psoriasis Lesions
Sarafian G, Afshar M, Mansouri P, Asgarpanah J, Raoufinejad K, Rajabi M. Topical turmeric microemulgel in the management of plaque psoriasis; a clinical evaluation. Iran J Pharm Res. Summer 2015;14(3):865-876.
Plaque psoriasis is an autoimmune, inflammatory skin disorder that causes patches of inflamed, thickened skin lesions. Many patients with psoriasis have other inflammatory disorders, such as metabolic syndrome, Crohn's disease, and cardiovascular disease. Mildly to moderately severe psoriasis is often treated effectively with prescription topical and systemic medications. Topical medications may have undesirable side effects, which include burning, atrophy, and staining of skin and clothes. Turmeric (Curcuma longa, Zingiberaceae) has been used in traditional medicine and found to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Turmeric extract can decrease the cytokine pro-inflammatory response by inactivating and decreasing the expression of key enzymes in the pro-inflammatory pathway in human cells. Several studies have shown that turmeric extract applied topically can reduce the severity of psoriasis lesions. The goal of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to measure the efficacy of turmeric extract microemulgel on the symptoms of psoriasis in patients with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis.
Forty patients between the ages of 18 and 60 years of age with mild to moderate psoriasis on their legs and arms were recruited for the study. Patients were included if the extent and severity of their psoriasis had been stable for at least 2 months. Patients could be taking systemic treatments for psoriasis but were excluded if they were using topical psoriasis treatments. Patients were also excluded if they were taking beta-blockers, had lymphoma, or were pregnant or lactating. Lesions were assessed on each patient. Lesions that were similar in appearance were chosen from the left and right arm and leg. Patients applied a placebo cream to either the left or right side and the turmeric treatment cream to the opposite side. The authors note that the side of the body chosen was randomized, but not whether randomization was done within each patient. The data presented suggest that the turmeric microemulgel was always applied to the right arm and leg and that the placebo was applied to the left side of each patient. The microemulgel was applied twice per day for 9 weeks. The placebo contained only the microemulgel, whereas the treatment contained the microemulgel plus 0.5% of turmeric extracted with water and alcohol (SOHA JISSA Co.; Salman Shahr, Mazandaran, Iran). Curcuminoid concentration of the extract was measured with high-performance liquid chromatography. The redness, thickness, scaling, and area of lesions in each body area were measured with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) every 3 weeks. In addition, patient quality of life was measured at the same time with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Compliance was checked weekly. Data were analyzed with t-tests and chi-squared tests.
Thirty-four patients completed the study. Reasons were not given for the loss of the other patients from the study. The patients noted that stress, changes in temperature, and sun exposure were the most important psoriasis triggers. Within this group of patients, 14.7% had metabolic syndrome, and another 11.8% had diabetes. The number of patients experiencing itching, pain, and social discomfort decreased over the course of the study (P values not given). The redness, thickness, and scaling of lesions on the arms decreased significantly with turmeric treatment over the course of the study (P < 0.05). The scaling of lesions on the legs also decreased significantly with turmeric treatment (P < 0.05). The mean PASI score with turmeric treatment decreased significantly from 3.6 to 1.4 over the course of the study (P < 0.05). The mean PASI score was also significantly lower with the turmeric treatment than with the placebo (P < 0.05). The placebo microemulgel did result in a decrease in the PASI score metrics over the first 3 weeks of the study, but this decrease was not significant. Adverse effects were similar between the turmeric and placebo microemulgels and included dryness and burning.
Turmeric microemulgel significantly reduced the symptoms of psoriasis over a 9-week course of treatment. This treatment also improved quality-of-life indices, although statistical analysis of these indices was not provided. In addition, the turmeric microemulgel was well tolerated with few adverse effects. Other studies have found that phosphorylase kinase (PK) expression is higher in patients with psoriasis and that curcuminoids inhibit PK activity. PK is integral to the pro-inflammatory response, and its inhibition should result in a decrease in inflammation. This study may have been limited by the small sample size and type of randomization used. The type of randomization is not adequately described, but the results suggest that the use of the turmeric microemulgel was randomized to the right side of the body for all patients. This may cause unwanted bias. The results of this study suggest that turmeric may be an effective topical treatment for psoriasis with few side effects.
--Cheryl McCutchan, PhD
Source : American Botanical Council - Herbclip
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Identifying Chinese Herbal Medicine Network for Eczema: Implications from a Nationwide Prescription Database
Hsing-Yu Chen,1,2,3 Yi-Hsuan Lin,1,2,3,4 Sindy Hu,2,4,5 Sien-hung Yang,1,3 Jiun-liang Chen,1,3 and Yu-Chun Chen6,7
1Division of Chinese Internal Medicine, Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33378, Taiwan
2Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
3School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
4Department of Cosmetic Science, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
5Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33378, Taiwan
6Department of Medical Research and Education, National Yang-Ming University Hospital, Ilan 26042, Taiwan
7Institute of Hospital and Health Care Administration, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
Abstract
Eczema is a highly prevalent dermatological disease that can severely affect the patient’s quality of life. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is commonly used in combination for eczema due to the complicated pathogenesis. This study aimed to identify a CHM network for the treatment of eczema by using a nationwide database. During 2011, 381,282 CHM prescriptions made for eczema (ICD-9-CM 692.x) were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan and analyzed by using association rule mining and social network analysis. Among 661 available CHMs, 44 important combinations were identified. Among the CHM networks, seven clusters with the predominant traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern were recognized. The largest CHM cluster was used to treat the wind-dampness-heat pattern, and Xiao-Feng-San (24.1% of all prescriptions) was the core of this cluster with anti-inflammation, antioxidation, and antiallergic effects. Lonicera japonica (11.0% of all prescriptions) with Forsythia suspense (17.0% of all prescriptions) was the most commonly used CHM combination and was also the core treatment for treating the heat pattern, in which an antimicrobial effect is found. CHM network analysis is helpful for TCM doctors or researchers to choose candidates for clinical practice or further studies.
Source : eCAM
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Effects of Chinese Formula Jueyin Granules on Psoriasis in an Animal Model
Tian Ma,1 Wen-cheng Jiang,1 Xin Li,1 Jie Chen,1 Tie-jun Wu,2 Hua Nian,2 Rong Xu,1 Qian-yuan Huang,2 Qing-qing Xiao,1 Qiang Jian,1 Fu-lun Li,1 and Bin Li1
1Department of Dermatology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 110 Ganhe Road, Shanghai 200437, China
2Department of Pharmacy, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200437, China
Abstract
Although Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is known to be effective for psoriasis patients, the responsible mechanisms still remain poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of one formula, named Jueyin granules (JYG) in the mouse model of the vaginal epithelium and tail epidermis. Additionally, we also determined the anti-inflammatory effects of JYG in an imiquimod- (IMQ-) induced psoriasis-like skin mouse model. Our results show that JYG can attenuate the IMQ-induced psoriasis-like inflammation, accompanied with increased epidermal hyperplasia. We also measured estrogenic stage mitosis of vaginal epithelial cells and the formation of granular cell layers in male mouse tails per 100 scales, as well as the tissue nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels using the ELISA method. The results suggest that JYG significantly inhibited mitosis in mouse vaginal epithelial cells, promoted the formation of the squamous epidermal granular layer in mice tails, and reduced the levels of NO and MDA in an imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin mouse model after 14 d (P<0.05) These results demonstrate that JYG might be an effective clinical treatment for psoriasis and the effects may be related to inhibited keratinocytes proliferation, improved parakeratotic epidermal cells, and reduced expression of NO and MDA.
Source : Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
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Homeopathic treatment of patients with psoriasis: A prospective observational study with 2 years follow-up.
Witt CM, Lüdtke R, Willich SN.
A prospective multicentre observational study was done to evaluate details and effects of homeopathic treatment in patients with psoriasis in usual medical care.
Primary care patients were evaluated over 2 years using standardized questionnaires, recording diagnosis and complaints severity, health-related quality of life (QoL), medical history, consultations, all treatments, and use of other health services. Fortyfive physicians treated 82 adults, 51.2% women, aged 41.6 ± 12.2 (mean ± SD) years. Patients had psoriasis for 14.7 ± 11.9 years; 96.3% had been treated before. Initial case taking took 127 ± 47 min. The 7.4 ± 7.4 subsequent consultations (duration: 19.4 ± 10.5 min) cumulated to 169.0 ± 138.8 min. Patients received 6.0 ± 4.9 homeopathic prescriptions. Diagnoses and complaints severity improved markedly with large effect sizes (Cohen’s d= 1.02–2.09). In addition, QoL improved (SF-36 physical component score d = 0.26, mental component score d = 0.49), while conventional treatment and health service use were considerably reduced. Authors conclude that under classical homeopathic treatment, patients with psoriasis improved in symptoms and QoL. Comments: Homeopathy is practiced in many regions of the world including India, especially in highincome countries where it ranks the most popular among traditional, complementary, or alternative medicines. According to its ‘rule of similarity’, patients are treated with a remedy that in a healthy proband has caused similar symptoms. A diagnosis can be treated with different remedies in different patients (‘individualization’), depending on varying side symptoms. Homeopathic drugs (‘remedies’) are produced by alternating steps of diluting and agitating a starting substance; the resulting ‘potencies’ quickly reach dilutions beyond Avogadro’s number. Such ‘high potencies’ are often prescribed; their effects constitute a subject of scientific controversy. Meta-analyses of placebo-controlled studies have shown inconsistent results. Hence to establish data on use and effects of homeopathy under conditions of usual care, authors investigated 3981 patients in a prospective observational study. This above paper presents the subgroup of 82 adults consulting a homeopathic physician because of psoriasis. Assessments of disease severity and health-related QoL consistently showed substantial improvements, although the disease was long-standing, chronic and conventionally pretreated. Similarly, all accompanying diseases (almost all chronic) were markedly ameliorated. The major improvements were seen within the first 3 months of homeopathic treatment, after 12 months ratings were less than half of baseline and continued to improve. Accordingly, QoL increased, and uses of health care services or conventional medication decreased markedly.
Source : Current best evidence from dermatology literature viaJ Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2009; 23 (5): 538-543.
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