BACKGROUND/AIMS: Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease of undetermined etiology and poor prognosis. The current therapies have focused on direct inhibition of local inflammation, e.g. through hormone treatments. However, neovascularization plays a critical role in the development of psoriasis but so far no therapies have been developed to suppress psoriasis-associated neovascularization. METHODS: We treated AGR129 mice that had received human PN skin grafts with different doses of Ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2). The acanthosis and papillomatosis index were evaluated. The percentage of T lymphocytes in the grafts was quantified by flow cytometry. The levels of vascularization in the grafts were quantified based on CD31-positive area. We examined the levels of VEGF-A in the skin treated with GRh2. We treated AGR129 mice that had received human PN skin grafts with different doses of soluble Flt-1 (sFlt1) and then evaluated the effects on the acanthosis and papillomatosis index, T lymphocyte percentage and vessel density. RESULTS: GRh2 dose-dependently decreased the acanthosis and papillomatosis index, T lymphocyte percentage and vessel density in PN skin grafts in mice. GRh2 inhibited VEGF-A levels in the PN skin grafts. Treatment with sFlt1 mimicked the effects of GRh2 on the acanthosis and papillomatosis index, T lymphocyte percentage and vessel density in PN skin grafts in mice. CONCLUSIONS: GRh2 may have an anti-psoriasis effect through neovascularization suppression.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease of undetermined etiology and poor prognosis. The current therapies have focused on direct inhibition of local inflammation, e.g. through hormone treatments. However, neovascularization plays a critical role in the development of psoriasis but so far no therapies have been developed to suppress psoriasis-associated neovascularization. METHODS: We treated AGR129 mice that had received human PN skin grafts with different doses of Ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2). The acanthosis and papillomatosis index were evaluated. The percentage of T lymphocytes in the grafts was quantified by flow cytometry. The levels of vascularization in the grafts were quantified based on CD31-positive area. We examined the levels of VEGF-A in the skin treated with GRh2. We treated AGR129 mice that had received human PN skin grafts with different doses of soluble Flt-1 (sFlt1) and then evaluated the effects on the acanthosis and papillomatosis index, T lymphocyte percentage and vessel density. RESULTS:GRh2 dose-dependently decreased the acanthosis and papillomatosis index, T lymphocyte percentage and vessel density in PN skin grafts in mice. GRh2 inhibited VEGF-A levels in the PN skin grafts. Treatment with sFlt1 mimicked the effects of GRh2 on the acanthosis and papillomatosis index, T lymphocyte percentage and vessel density in PN skin grafts in mice. CONCLUSIONS:GRh2 may have an anti-psoriasis effect through neovascularization suppression.
Authors: Muhammad Zubair Siddiqi; Chang-Hao Cui; Seul-Ki Park; Nam Soo Han; Sun-Chang Kim; Wan-Taek Im Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-04-19 Impact factor: 3.240