The Therapeutic Potential and Molecular Mechanism of Isoflavone Extract against Psoriasis

Abstract

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory disease. It affects 1–3% of the population worldwide and is associated with increasing medical costs every year. Typical psoriatic skin lesions are reddish, thick, scaly plaques that can occur on multiple skin sites all over the body. Topical application of imiquimod (IMQ), a toll-like receptor (TLR)7 agonist and potent immune system activator, can induce and exacerbate psoriasis. Previous studies have demonstrated that isoflavone extract has an antioxidant effect which may help decrease inflammation and inflammatory pain. Through in vivo studies in mice, we found that the topical application to the shaved back and right ear of mice of isoflavone extract prior to IMQ treatment significantly decreased trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema, blood flow speed, and ear thickness, while it increased surface skin hydration, and attenuated epidermal hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration. Through in vitro experiments, we found that isoflavone extract can reduce IL-22, IL-17A, and TNF-α-induced MAPK, NF-κB, and JAK-STAT activation in normal human epidermal keratinocytes. At the mRNA level, we determined that isoflavone extract attenuated the increased response of the TNF-α-, IL-17A-, and IL-22- related pathways. These results indicate that isoflavone extract has great potential as an anti-psoriatic agent and in the treatment of other inflammatory skin diseases.

Current Perspectives on the Beneficial Effects of Soybean Isoflavones and Their Metabolites for Humans

“…Isoflavone extracts significantly reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL), red spots, blood flow rate, and ear thickness, increased water moisture in the surface, and reduced epidermal hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration in the experimental mice (Table S8). This shows the potential of isoflavone extract in treating psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases [245].…”

“…Isoflavone extracts are effective in treating psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases. Psoriasis is a common inflammatory disease that affects 1-3% of the world's population, and medical expenses for its treatment are increasing every year [245]. A preclinical study was conducted with experimental mice to confirm the therapeutic effects of the isoflavone extract on the prevention of psoriasis and the alleviation of inflammatory effects in epidermal keratinocytes in psoriatic skin.…”

The Effect of Herbal Medicinal Products on Psoriasis-Like Keratinocytes

“…In this study, we aimed at identifying a plant extract that displays anti-psoriatic effects without severe toxic effects that could be further developed as a topical treatment for limited or childhood psoriasis. Several plant extracts have been described as anti-psoriatic in various in vitro test systems ( Artemisia capillaris extract, paeoniflorin, curcumin, indigo, rhododendrin and isoflavones) [ 8 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 ]. However, most of the tests were performed with HaCaT cells with or without imiquimod (IMQ) stimulation.…”

IL-17 Affects the Progression, Metastasis, and Recurrence of Laryngeal Cancer via the Inhibition of Apoptosis through Activation of the PI3K/AKT/FAS/FASL Pathways

“…IL-17 activates the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which may block the FAS-associated death domain protein, and this inhibits the cellular apoptosis pathway by improving the phosphorylation of FOXO3a [ 48 , 49 ]. Recombinant Human IL-17A (200-17) had a growth-stimulating effect on IL-17 [ 50 , 51 ]. Wortmannin covalently modifies PI3K and is a potent and specific PI3K inhibitor [ 52 – 54 ].…”