Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic proliferative skin disorder characterised by abnormal epidermal differentiation. The Fuzhenghefuzhiyang (FZHFZY) formula created by Chuanjian Lu, a master of Chinese medicine in dermatology, has been external used in the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine for the treatment of psoriasis, but its mechanisms of action against psoriasis remain poorly understood. This study involved an exploration of the effects of FZHFZY on epidermal differentiation and its underlying mechanisms in interleukin (IL)-17A/IL-22/interferon (IFN)-γ/tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α–stimulated HaCaT cells and in a mouse model of imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. Epidermal differentiation was detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Histological evaluation of the skin tissue was performed via haematoxylin and eosin staining, and the Akt/mTORC1/S6K1 pathway was analysed by western blotting. FZHFZY inhibited proliferation and improved epidermal differentiation in IL-17A/IL-22/IFN-γ/TNF-α–induced HaCaT cells. FZHFZY ameliorated symptoms of psoriasis, regulated epidermal differentiation and inhibited phosphorylation of the Akt/mTORC1/S6K1 pathway in the skin of mice with imiquimod-induced psoriasis. Our results suggest that FZHFZY may exhibit therapeutic action against psoriasis by regulating epidermal differentiation via inhibition of the Akt/mTORC1/S6K1 pathway.
Highlights
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects nearly 3% of the world’s population, which equates to more than 125 million cases globally (Rendon and Schäkel, 2019; Korman, 2020)
We first evaluated the effects of FZHFZY on the proliferation of IL-17A/IL-22/IFN-γ/tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α–stimulated HaCaT cells
To evaluate the effects of FZHFZY on epidermal differentiation in IL-17A/IL-22/IFN-γ/TNF-α–stimulated HaCaT cells, we measured the mRNA expression of loricrin, filaggrin, involucrin, keratin 5, keratin 14 and keratin 15, which have recognised relationships with classical epidermal differentiation (Szczerkowska-Dobosz et al, 2020)
Summary
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects nearly 3% of the world’s population, which equates to more than 125 million cases globally (Rendon and Schäkel, 2019; Korman, 2020). The current treatments for psoriasis include glucocorticoids, vitamin D analogues, tretinoin drugs and calcineurin inhibitors, which can alleviate symptoms and achieve therapeutic effects. Their long-term use leads to adverse effects, such as relapse and rebound, and the development of skin atrophy and hypercalcaemia, especially after irregular use or abuse of glucocorticoids (Heath et al, 2019; Islam et al, 2019; Mourad et al, 2019; van der Kraaij et al, 2019). Chinese medicine is widely accepted by patients with psoriasis in China because of its reliable curative effects and long history. Our systematic reviews have demonstrated that Chinese medicine therapies are effective for the treatment of psoriasis (Yu et al, 2007; Yu et al, 2013; Zhang et al, 2014; Zhang et al, 2016; Yu et al, 2017)
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