In vitro antioxidant and protective effects of the extract of Broussonetia papyrifera leaves on imiquimod-induced skin lesions in psoriasis-like mice.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory immune-related skin disease. According to literature reports, the leaves of Broussonetia papyrifera exhibit antioxidant, immune-enhancing and antibacterial effects. These leaves are not only used clinically for the treatment of superficial fungal infections and hepatitis, but also used in the development of health food. However, the treatment of psoriasis with the leaves of B. papyrifera has not been reported yet. The in vitro antioxidant activity of B. papyrifera leaf extract was investigated by DPPH, OH and ABTS assays. Furthermore, IMQ was used to induce a mouse psoriasis-like model and HE staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and biochemical kits were used to measure relevant pathological indexes. The results showed that the B. papyrifera leaf extract has certain antioxidant capacity in vitro, which was positively correlated with its concentration. In addition, the extract can not only improve IMQ-induced skin damage on the back of mice, inhibit TNF-α and IL-6 factor secretion, but also regulate activity of SOD and the serum levels of MDA. Its mechanism of action related to inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors and the regulation of oxidative stress in vivo.