Secoemestrin C Ameliorates Psoriasis-like Skin Inflammation in Mice by Suppressing the TNF-α/NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Abstract

Secoemestrin C (SC), an epitetrathiodioxopiperazine isolated from Aspergillus nidulans, has been previously reported to have immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective effects against acute autoimmune hepatitis. However, the effect of SC on regulating the inflammation and its underlying mechanisms in the pathogenesis of psoriasis remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SC on inflammatory dermatosis both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, HaCaT cells were induced with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α, 10 ng/mL) to establish an inflammatory injury model, and the expression of nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway components was measured using qRT-PCR and Western blotting. An in vivo mouse model of imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation was used to evaluate the effectiveness of SC in alleviating psoriasis. SC significantly blocked the activation of NF-κB signaling in TNF-α-stimulated HaCaT cells. In addition, systemic and local administration of SC improved psoriatic dermatitis in the IMQ-induced mouse model. SC reduced skin scale and significantly inhibited the secretion of inflammatory factors in skin lesions. The protective effect of SC against psoriatic-associated inflammation reveals its potential therapeutic value for treating psoriasis.