Effects of combined treatment with extract, curcumin, or bisdemethoxycurcumin and UVA on imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like lesions in BALB/c mice.

UNLABELLED

The combination of extract and its active compounds, curcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin, as photosensitizers with ultraviolet A (UVA) light has potential in alleviating psoriasis. This study evaluated their therapeutic effects on psoriasis-like lesions induced via imiquimod application in BALB/c mice. Treatments with extract, curcumin, or bisdemethoxycurcumin combined with UVA (TUVA, CUVA, and BUVA, respectively) were administered. All treatments improved abnormal transepidermal water loss and subcutaneous hydration in the dorsal skin. TUVA and CUVA significantly reduced ear thickness and epithelial thickness in both the ear and dorsal skin. All treatments restored the expression of filaggrin, loricrin, and keratin 1, while downregulating interleukin-1 β, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, and IL-23p19. These findings suggest that extract, curcumin, or bisdemethoxycurcumin combined with UVA treatment may serve as potential alternatives to conventional antipsoriatic therapies such as psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-025-01940-w.