Liangxue Xiaoban decoction and its disassembled prescriptions ameliorate psoriasis-like skin lesions induced by imiquimod in mice via T cell regulation

Abstract

Objective: To explore the therapeutic capacity of the Liangxue Xiaoban (LXXB) decoction and its disassembled prescriptions in the modulation of T cell subsets and recurrence-related indexes of psoriasis using a psoriasis-like mouse model. Methods: The psoriasis model was generated by the treatment of BALB/c mice (n = 48) with imiquimod. Mice were divided into six groups: control, psoriasis model, tripterygium glycosides, LXXB decoction, Liangxue decoction, and Qingqi decoction. After the intervention period, the interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-22, and interferon-γ levels in mice were examined and hematoxylin and eosin staining was conducted to determine pathological changes in the skin tissues. T cell subset changes in the skin-draining lymph nodes were analyzed using flow cytometry, and the expression levels of the associated transcription factors and recurrence-related indexes in the skin tissues were determined using a polymerase chain reaction. Results: LXXB decoction attenuated the levels of CD8+ T, Th17, and Th1 cells and induced an increase in the Th2 and Treg cell levels. The disassembled prescriptions promoted or inhibited specific subsets of T cells to improve the symptoms of psoriasis. Notably, the LXXB and Liangxue decoctions suppressed the expression of IL-22 at both the gene and protein levels and restored the CD103 and IL-15 expressions in the skin tissue to the normal range. Conclusion: LXXB decoction exerted significant immunoregulatory effects on T cell subsets and improved the recurrence-related indexes. Interestingly, the Liangxue prescription appeared to have a therapeutic advantage in terms of Th17 modulation and psoriasis recurrence, while the Qingqi prescription performed better in Treg immunoregulation.

Keywords

• Psoriasis
• T cells
• Recurrence
• Liangxue Xiaoban decoction
• Disassembled prescription
• Tripterygium glycoside