Centella asiatica alleviates psoriasis through JAK/STAT3-mediated inflammation: An in vitro and in vivo study

Centella asiatica (L.) Urban (CA) is a dry herb of the Umbelliferae family, first mentioned in Shennong's Herbal Classic. It is known for its ability to clear heat and dampness, detoxify, and reduce swelling, making it a popular treatment for dermatitis, wound healing, and lupus erythematosus. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is characterized by clearly delineated erythema and squamous skin lesions. However, the effect of CA on regulating inflammation and its mechanism in the pathogenesis of psoriasis is still not fully understood.

This study evaluated the effects of CA on inflammatory dermatosis by in vitro and in vivo studies. And clarified the important role of the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway in the treatment of psoriasis with CA.

Different components of CA were extracted and analyzed for their total flavonoid and polyphenol contents. The antioxidant capacity of the CA extracts was determined using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods. In vitro, HaCaT cells were induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 20 μg·mL-1) to establish an inflammatory injury model, and the effects of CA extracts on oxidative stress, inflammation and skin barrier function were evaluated systematically. Annexin V-FITC/PI staining was utilized for detecting cell apoptosis, while the expression of NF-κB and JAK/STAT3 pathways were detected by RT-PCR and western blot. Combined with an in vivo mice model of Imiquimod (IMQ) induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation, the most effective CA extract for alleviating psoriasis was identified and its potential mechanism was investigated.

CA extracts showed high antioxidant capacity and were able to increase the content of GSH and SOD while reducing intracellular ROS generation. Notably, CA ethyl acetate extract (CAE) was found to be the most effective. Furthermore, CA extracts effectively downregulate inflammatory factors (IFN-γ, CCL20, IL-6 and TNF-α) mRNA levels and improved the gene expressions of barrier protective factors AQP3 and FLG, among them CAE and n-hexane extract of CA (CAH) had better effects. Western blot analysis indicated that CAE and CAH had anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB and JAK/STAT3 pathways, and CAE exhibited the best regulatory effect at the dose of 25 μg·mL-1. In vivo experiment, the psoriasis-like skin inflammation mice model was established by 5% IMQ and treated CAE solution (10, 20, 40 mg·mL-1) for 7 days, the results showed that CAE intervention reduced the skin scale and blood scab, and significantly inhibited the secretion of inflammatory factors in both serum and skin lesions at the dose of 40 mg·mL-1.

Centella asiatica extracts were effective in improving skin inflammation and skin barrier dysfunction, and also alleviated psoriasis through JAK/STAT3 pathway. The results provided experimental support for the potential use of Centella asiatica in functional food and skin care products.