Therapeutic Efficacies of Artemisia capillaris Extract Cream Formulation in Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis Models

Abstract EN

A cream formulation containing Artemisia capillaris (AC) extract (ACE) was developed for psoriasis therapy.

Although ACE can be dissolved in organic solvents, its topical application is restricted because of toxicities.

Therefore, a cream formulation was developed for the convenient and safe local application of ACE on skin lesions.

The antipsoriatic properties of the ACE cream were evaluated using an imiquimod- (IMQ-) induced psoriasis-like mouse model.

In psoriasis-like mouse models, the cumulative score (redness, thickness, and scaling) of the IMQ + ACE cream group was significantly lower than those of the other groups on day 4 (p < 0.05).

The results of the hematoxylin and eosin staining of skin tissues revealed that the epidermal thickness value of the IMQ + ACE cream group was significantly lower than those of the other experimental groups (p < 0.05).

The expression level of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), which indicates the leukocyte infiltration into the skin and subsequent interactions with keratinocytes, was also lower in the IMQ + ACE cream group than in the IMQ group.

These results indicate that ACE cream formulation could be used safely and conveniently for psoriasis treatment.