Supervisors info:
Ελένη Σκαλτσά, Καθηγήτρια του Τομέα Φαρμακογνωσίας και Χημείας Φυσικών Προϊόντων, Σχολή Θετικών Επιστημών, Τμήμα Φαρμακευτικής, Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
Μιχαήλ Ράλλης, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής του Τομέα Φαρμακευτικής Τεχνολογίας,Σχολή Θετικών Επιστημών
Τμήμα Φαρμακευτικής, Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
Αγγελική Κουρουνάκη, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια τομέα Φαρμακευτικής Χημείας, Σχολή Θετικών Επιστημών
Τμήμα Φαρμακευτικής, Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
Summary:
Psoriasis is a common chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease, which has an overall prevalence of 2% to 3% in the general population. Psoriasis has been associated with many comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cancer, anxiety and depression, inflammatory bowel disease and psoriatic arthritis. Clinical features of psoriasis are pruritic plaques consisting of thick, silver scales , which significantly affect the quality of life of patients. Although the pathogenesis is still unclear, it has been reported that macrophages, neutrophils and Th1/Th17 cells play important roles in psoriasis-related skin lesions by provoking inflammation.
The aim of this study was to achieve a satisfactory animal mouse model of psoriasis and then to carry out a therapeutic approach, using natural extracts.
In the first phase of the study BalbC, C57BL6 and ApoE male mice were used in order to evaluate three different imiquimod induced psoriasis models : 1. Daily topical dose of 62,5 mg imiquimod cream 5%, 2. Daily topical dose of 62,5 mg imiquimod cream 5% enriched with 2% acetic acid and 3. Daily topical dose of 62,5 mg imiquimod cream 5% and mice were administered acetic acid solution (200mmol/L) in drinking water. The following parameters were evaluated: skin thickness, erythema, scaling, cumulative PASI score, skin hydration, TEWL and histopathological evaluation. In the second phase of the study, BalbC male mice were used and the induction of psoriasis was achieved with daily topical dose of 62,5 mg imiquimod cream 5% enriched with 2% acetic acid. Then an ointment containing Ceratothoa oestroides oil extract and extracts of Melissa officinalis L. and Cedrus brevifolia were evaluated for their antipsoriatic activity.
Among the three types of mice the best psoriasis animal model was achieved in BalbC mice. The use of acetic acid significantly improved the imiquimod induced psoriasis model that is prevalent in literature. The results showed that daily topical dose of 62,5 mg imiquimod cream 5% enriched with 2% acetic acid is a successful and repeatable psoriasis animal model. The ointment containing Ceratothoa oestroides oil extract presented a significant antipsoriatic activity. The aqueous and secondarily the dichloromethanolic extract of M.officinalis showed promising antipsoriatic results, while the methanolic extract of C.brevifolia revealed a remarkable therapeutic effect. Further research is necessary in order to investigate the antipsoriatic properties of these extracts.
Keywords:
Psoriasis, Imiquimod, In vivo, Mice, Extracts, Acetic acid
