Abstract
Background
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, chronic inflammatory skin disease for which there is no cure. Baicalin is a flavonoid active ingredient extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Scutellaria baicalensis. The plant, or baicalin, has good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, with certain therapeutic effects on psoriasis. Zinc hyaluronate has moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and tissue-repairing effects and has potential in the treatment of psoriasis.
Methods
We utilized the pH sensitivity of baicalin solubility and combined it with zinc hyaluronate to obtain a baicalin-zinc hyaluronate hydrogel. A mouse psoriasis model was established using imiquimod. The extent of skin lesions, inflammatory responses, and expression of related proteins in psoriatic mice were also investigated to determine the therapeutic effect of baicalin-zinc hyaluronate hydrogel on psoriasis and its effect on related pathways.
Results
The combination of baicalin and zinc hyaluronate significantly reduced the psoriasis symptoms in mice. It improved imiquimod-induced inflammatory responses and modulated the IL-23/IL-17 axis to attenuate the expression of psoriasis-associated inflammatory factors.
Conclusion
The combination of baicalin and zinc hyaluronate better regulated the IL-23/IL-17 axis, thereby ameliorating imiquimod-induced psoriasis in mice. These findings provide a reference for the development of subsequent baicalin formulations and the clinical treatment of psoriasis.