A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Clinical Study on the Curative Effect of Huaier on Mild-to-Moderate Psoriasis and an Experimental Study on the Proliferation of Hacat Cells

Abstract

The antitumor effects of Huaier have been recently revealed. However, no research has been conducted on the effects of Huaier on keratinocyte proliferation and for the treatment of psoriasis. Hacat cells were treated with different concentrations of Huaier for different periods of times. The effects on cell proliferation and vitality and on the cell cycle were detected. Patients with mild-to-moderate psoriasis were randomized and divided into two groups in a double-blind manner. The experimental group was given sugar-free Yinxie granules and Huaiqihuang (HQH) granules, and the control group was given sugar-free Yinxie granules and placebo. After 4 weeks, various therapeutic indexes were compared. Huaier significantly inhibited Hacat cell proliferation, suppressed vitality, and blocked the cell cycle in the G1 phase compared with the control group (P < 0.01, respectively). After treatment for 4 weeks, the number of patients between the two groups that experienced a 50% reduction in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 50), PASI 75 and PASI 90, was significantly different (P <0.01). The body surface area (BSA) affected by psoriasis and static physician's global assessment (sPGA) was significantly reduced (P < 0.01); additionally, a significant improvement in the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) (P < 0.01) was observed. Huaier has shown promising effects in both clinical and experimental setting in this preliminary study and it might provide some benefit in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris in the future.

Apoptotic or Antiproliferative Activity of Natural Products against Keratinocytes for the Treatment of Psoriasis

“…The antiproliferative activity could be due to the presence of proanthocyanidins and hydroxycinnamic acids in the bark extracts. Huaier ( Trametes robiniophila ) is a fungus with potential as an antitumor agent through cell apoptosis [79]. Su et al [80] evaluated the role of huaier in the treatment of psoriasis via the methodology of in vitro HaCaT growth inhibition.…”

Huaier Suppresses Breast Cancer Progression via linc00339/miR-4656/CSNK2B Signaling Pathway

“…Polysaccharide was identified as a possible key ingredient in Huaier (2–4). Previous studies showed that Huaier exerted therapeutic effects on psoriasis (5), inflammation (6), and tuberous sclerosis (7). In dextran sulfate sodium-induced experimental colitis, Huaier suppressed the secretion of interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and the activation of caspase-1 via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome (8).…”

DDIT4 is an Innate Protector in Psoriatic Keratinocytes and 1,25(OH)2D3 Exerts Anti-Psoriasis Through Promoting DDIT4 Inducing Macro-Autophagy and Proliferation Inhibition

“…), oral antiproliferative drugs (ciclosporin, methotrexate, acitretin, etc.) 13 and biological agents (anti-tumor necrosis factor such as certolizumab, etanercept 14 , IL-23 monoclonal antibody as guselkumab 15 , IL-17 monoclonal antibody as secukinumab 16 Among which, vitamin D 3 and its analogues (for example, calcipotriol) is one the classic topical anti-psoriasis reagents, which was clinically used since 31 years ago 3 , but its exact mechanism of action is still unknown. its anti-tumor effect via promoting the autophagy ux 4 .…”