Role of keratinocytes and immune cells in the anti-inflammatory effects of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. in a murine model of psoriasis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (TwHf) belonging to the Celastraceae family is widely used for psoriasis treatment, especially in topical therapy in Chinese traditional medicine.

PURPOSE:

In this study, we investigated the anti-psoriatic effects of topical administration of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. root decoction (TwHf-RD), as well as its safety and potential mechanisms of action in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS:

Psoriasis-like lesions were induced in mice using imiquimod (IMQ). The liver and kidney function and the pathological changes in the liver, kidney, and spleen were measured using ELISA and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining after TwHf-RD treatment. H&E staining was used to determine the optimum concentration of TwHf-RD. The expression levels of ki67 and apoptosis related-factors in vivo and in vitro were measured by immunohistochemical staining, flow cytometry, and western blotting. Immunocyte differentiation and pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-10, IL-22, IL-23, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) expression levels were determined by flow cytometry and RT-qPCR.

RESULTS:

TwHf-RD treatment attenuated skin inflammation, inhibited keratinocyte (KC) proliferation, increased the levels of apoptosis factors, and influenced the differentiation and inflammatory response of T lymphocytes and regulatory T cells in mice. In vitro experiments proved that Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. root extract (TwHf-RE) regulates the proliferation and apoptosis of PAM212 cells.

CONCLUSION:

TwHf-RD alleviates IMQ-induced psoriasis lesions by regulating the proliferation and apoptosis of KC and immune cells and by inhibiting immunocyte differentiation and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression.

• Authors: Yi Ru, Hongjin Li, Ruoxi Zhang, Ying Luo, Jiankun Song, Le Kuai, Meng Xing, Seokgyeong Hong, Xiaoying Sun, Xiaojie Ding, Yi Lu, Liu Liu, Chen Na, Yaqiong Zhou, Bin Li, Xin Li
• Journal: Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (Phytomedicine) Vol. 77 Pg. 153299 (Oct 2020) ISSN: 1618-095X [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 32823074 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2020 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Cytokines
• Dermatologic Agents
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Imiquimod

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (immunology, pharmacology)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Cytokines (metabolism)
• Dermatologic Agents (administration & dosage, chemistry, immunology, pharmacology)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (administration & dosage, chemistry, pharmacology)
• Imiquimod (toxicity)
• Keratinocytes (drug effects)
• Male
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Plant Roots (chemistry)
• Psoriasis (chemically induced, drug therapy, immunology, pathology)
• T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory (drug effects, immunology)
• Tripterygium (chemistry)