Natural Compound Mixture, Containing Emodin, Genipin, Chlorogenic Acid, Cimigenoside, and Ginsenoside Rb1, Ameliorates Psoriasis‐Like Skin Lesions by Suppressing Inflammation and Proliferation in Keratinocytes

Abstract

Herbal combinations of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Gardeniae Fructus, Cimicifugae Rhizoma, and Ginseng Radix have been used in traditional formulas to treat the symptoms of heat and dryness. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of a natural compound mixture (PSM) of these herbal combinations, containing emodin, genipin, chlorogenic acid, cimigenoside, and ginsenoside Rb1, for the treatment of psoriasis and its underlying molecular mechanisms. PSM was applied topically to the dorsal skin lesions of imiquimod- (IMQ-) induced C57BL/6 mice, and the expression of the proinflammatory mediators was investigated. The topical application of 1% PSM reduced psoriasis-like symptoms in IMQ-induced C57BL/6 mice significantly. PSM also attenuated the production of IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-6 in skin lesions. Histological analysis showed that PSM had antipsoriatic effects by reducing the lesional epidermal thickness. Either M5 (IL-1α, IL-17A, IL-22, oncostatin M, and TNF-α, 10 ng/ml each) or IL-22- (100 ng/ml) stimulated HaCaT cells were used to examine the efficacy and underlying mechanism of PSM. In M5-stimulated HaCaT cells, PSM inhibited the production of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 10 and C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 20 effectively. Moreover, compared to the use of a single compound, it had synergistic inhibitory effects in CXCL8 production. PSM suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38, and STAT3 signaling pathways in M5-stimulated HaCaT cells. Furthermore, PSM reduced the proliferation rate and K16 and K17 expressions in IL-22-stimulated HaCaT cells by inhibiting the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. These results suggest that PSM may have a therapeutic potential in the treatment of psoriasis lesions.

Screening and Evaluation of Dermo-Cosmetic Activities of the Invasive Plant Species Polygonum cuspidatum

“…Another compound more present in AP than RP (chlorogenic acid) was also selected, although potentially not active on tyrosinase (See Rf 0.42, Figure 4 ). Indeed, this phenolic acid widely represented in the plant kingdom, has made it possible to expand to other molecular families of the genus Polygonum and was known to be a potential candidate in the treatment of skin diseases [ 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 ].…”

Xiao-Yin-Fang Therapy Alleviates Psoriasis-like Skin Inflammation Through Suppressing γδT17 Cell Polarization

“…Emodin, which is a natural anthraquinone derivative of Dahuang, possesses broad-spectrum pharmacological properties, including antineoplastic, hepatoprotective, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial functions. The topical application of a natural compound mixture (PSM) of herbs, containing emodin, genipin, chlorogenic acid, cimigenoside, and ginsenoside Rb1, alleviated IMQ-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis and reduced the proliferation rate of IL-22-stimulated keratinocytes (Nguyen et al, 2020b). The therapeutic effects of Dahuang and its chemical compounds in psoriasis requires further study.…”

Promising Strategies in Plant-Derived Treatments of Psoriasis-Update of In Vitro, In Vivo, and Clinical Trials Studies

“…It possesses a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anticancer, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects. In vitro studies confirmed that topical application of a natural compound combination of herbs at a dose 10 μM, which included emodin, lowered the proliferation rate of IL-22-stimulated keratinocytes and relieved IMQ-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis [ 149 ].…”