Clinical efficacy and safety of using calcipotriol-betamethasone compounding agent for psoriasis treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Integrated network pharmacological analysis revealed that Smilax glabra Roxb. alleviates IMQ-induced psoriatic skin inflammation through regulating T cell immune response

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease characterized by dysfunctional T cells and dysregulated immune responses. Smilax glabra Roxb. (SGR) is a formulation used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders, including psoriasis. This study explores the scientific basis for its use by examining the effects of SGR on T cell differentiation and insulin receptor signaling, relevant pathways implicated in the pathophysiology of psoriasis.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study investigates the therapeutic potential of SGR (a Chinese medicine) in psoriasis and its impact on T cell differentiation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An integrated network pharmacology and bioinformatics approach was employed to elucidate the mechanisms of SGR in regulating T cell differentiation. A psoriasis mouse model was utilized to evaluate the effects of SGR on T cell subsets. Immunohistochemistry and gene expression analyses were conducted to investigate the modulation of insulin receptor signaling pathways by SGR.

RESULTS

SGR treatment effectively reset the expression of various T cell subsets in the psoriasis mouse model, suggesting its ability to regulate T cell differentiation and immune function. Furthermore, SGR treatment inhibited insulin receptor signaling and downstream pathways, including PI3K/AKT and ERK, in psoriatic skin lesions. This indicates that SGR may exert its therapeutic effects through modulation of the insulin receptor signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides novel insights into the therapeutic potential of SGR in psoriasis. By modulating T cell differentiation and targeting the insulin receptor signaling pathway, SGR holds promise as a potential treatment option for psoriasis.

Self-assembled hyaluronic acid nanoparticles for the topical treatment of inflammatory skin diseases: Beyond drug carriers

Inflammatory skin diseases represent a significant health concern, affecting approximately 20-25% of the global population. These conditions not only reduce an individual's quality of life but also impose a huge burden on both humanity and society. However, addressing these challenges is hindered by their chronic nature, insufficient therapeutic effectiveness, and the propensity for recurrence and adverse side effects. Hyaluronic acid (HA) has emerged as a potential solution to these barriers, owing to its excellent attributes such as biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and targeted drug delivery. However, its practical application has been limited because endogenous hyaluronidase (HYAL) rapidly degrades HA in inflamed skin thus reducing its ability to penetrate deep into the skin. Interestingly, recent research has expanded the role of self-assembled HA-nanoparticles (HA-NPs) beyond drug carriers; they are resistant to HYAL, thereby enabling deep skin penetration, and possess inherent anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, these abilities can be fine-tuned depending on the conditions during particle synthesis. Additionally, their role as a drug delivery system holds potential for use as a multi-target drug or hybrid drug. In conclusion, this review aims to specifically introduce and highlight the emerging potential of HA-NPs as a topical treatment for inflammatory skin conditions.

Strictinin: A Key Ingredient of Tea

Strictinin is a relatively tiny ellagitannin, which is found in many plants as a minor constituent. Catechins are known as the major constituents in the young leaves of most tea plants, while strictinin was found as a major constituent in the Pu'er tea plant. In some Pu'er tea varieties, strictinin was identified as the most abundant phenolic compound rather than catechins. In the past decade, strictinin was demonstrated to possess several functional activities, including antiviral, antibacterial, anti-obesity, laxative, anticaries, anti-allergic, antipsoriatic, antihyperuricemia, antidiabetic, and anticancer effects. These functional activities were in accordance with the therapeutic effects empirically perceived for Pu'er tea. Evidently, strictinin is the key ingredient in Pu'er tea that acts as a herbal medicine. In functionally-based applications, an instant powder of Pu'er tea infusion was formulated as an active raw material to be supplemented in food, cosmetics, and beverages; a new type of tea named Bitter Citrus Tzen Tea was developed by combining three teas empirically consumed to expel the cold, and new edible oral care products were designed for caries prevention by supplementation with Pu'er tea extract. More functional activities and practical applications of strictinin are scientifically anticipated in follow-up research.