The Intervention Effect Of Shikonin On Psoriasiform Mice Model

Objective1. To observe the changes of shikonin on the skin lesions and pathology of psoriasiform mice model induced by imiquimod (IMQ)2. To investigate the effects of shikonin on Thl7 cytokines in psoriasis-like mice model.3. To investigate the effects of shikonin on chemokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in psoriasis-like mice model.Methods1. Established a psoriasis-like mice model by topical IMQ,skin lesions were taken pictures continuously with a digital camera, and inflammation severity was scored using the clinical Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI).2. Using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining to observe the skin histopathological changes and measure thickness of epidermis under light microscope.3. The levels of the mice serum Thl7 cytokines were detected by ELISA.4. The levels of the mice skin lesions Th17 cytokines were detected by Real-Time PCR5. The levels of the mice serum chemokines and matrix metalloproteinases were detected by ELISA.6. The results were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 software. The p values<0.05 were deemed to be statistically significant.Results1. Mice treated by topical IMQ showed typical psoriasis-like skin lesions such as erythema, scales, and thickening. There was a parabolic dynamic change of PASI scores. Compared with the mice of model group, Mice of low-dose, high-dose shikonin groups and MTX group showed slight changes in both skin lesions and PASI scores.2. HE staining showed epidermal parakeratosis, hyperkeratosis, and acanthosis in mice of model group. Compared with model group, epidermal thickness was significantly lower in low-dose, high-dose shikonin groups and MTX group.3.Compared with model group, serum level of IL-17、IL-17F、TNF-α、IL-6、IL-22 were significantly lower in low-dose, high-dose shikonin groups and MTX group(p<0.05).4. Compared with model group, the leves of IL-17、IL-17F、TNF-α、IL-6、IL-22 in skin lesions were significantly lower in low-dose, high-dose shikonin groups and MTX group(p<0.05).5. Compared with model group, serum levels of CXCL1、CXCL5、MMP3 were significantly lower in low-dose, high-dose shikonin groups and MTX group.ConclusionsTaken together, shikonin could significantly impede the arising of the psoriasiform skin lesions and pathological changes induced by imiquimod, and significantly inhibited the level of Th17 cytokines and chemokines.