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Drug Res (Stuttg)
DOI: 10.1055/a-2419-9616
Original Article

Phosphatidylserine Topically Attenuates Imiquimod-induced Psoriasis Through Inflammation Inhibition in Mice

Bahareh Farasati Far‡
1   Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2   Department of Chemistry, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.
,
Partow Mirzaee Saffari‡
1   Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
3   Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
,
Razieh Mohammad Jafari
1   Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
3   Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
,
Ramin Goudarzi
4   Division of Research and Development, Pharmin USA, LLC, San Jose, CA, United States of America.
,
Ahmad Reza Dehpour
1   Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
3   Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
,
Alireza Partoazar
1   Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
3   Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
› Author Affiliations Funding Information Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services — http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004484; 1403-2-209-73530
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Abstract

Background Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that is associated with persistent inflammation and skin lesions. Topical therapy has been a promising approach to the alleviation of psoriasis through the application of anti-inflammatory agents. Phosphatidylserine (PS) administration has shown anti-inflammatory effects in the trials. Consequently, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of topical PS on the potential improvement of an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis model. Additionally, cyclosporine A was utilized as a comparative anti-psoriatic agent in our study.

Methods The psoriasis model was established by topically applying IMQ to the dorsal skin of mice once daily for five consecutive days. The efficacy of topical PS was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score to evaluate skin lesions. Subsequently, the skin samples were analyzed using Baker’s scoring system, Masson’s trichrome staining, immunohistochemistry, and real-time PCR analysis.

Results IMQ-induced plaque-type psoriasis resulted in a significant increase (P<0.05) in dermal thickness, hyperkeratosis, PASI score, and inflammatory cytokines at the lesion site. The topical PS and cyclosporine A significantly (P<0.05) reduced PASI score and dermal thickness, while also alleviating erythema and scaling when compared to untreated mice. Furthermore, biomolecular assessments revealed that PS significantly (P<0.05) inhibited the gene expression of IL-17, IL-23, and TNF-α cytokines in the IMQ-induced lesions.

Conclusion Topical PS may pointedly alleviate psoriasis through the inhibition of inflammation. The beneficial effects of the PS recommend further investigation in both experimental and clinical studies in the control of skin psoriasis.

Keywords

phospholipid - inflammation - skin disease - psoriasis - animal


Publication History

Received: 06 June 2024

Accepted: 16 September 2024

Article published online:
15 October 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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