Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Rutin in Psoriasis: Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation

This study aimed to investigate the potential therapeutic efficacy of rutin in the management of psoriasis and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.

A systems biology approach, utilizing network pharmacology, was employed to identify and analyze putative targets of rutin relevant to psoriasis. The impact of rutin on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores was assessed in an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced murine psoriasis model. Histopathological alterations in the skin lesions were examined using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Expression levels of key inflammatory mediators, including Tnf, Hif1a, Ptgs2, Tlr4, Nfkb1, Mtor, and Il2, were quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

A comprehensive analysis revealed 62 potential targets of rutin in the context of psoriasis, with these targets being part of 72 interconnected signaling pathways. In vivo studies demonstrated a significant reduction in PASI scores in rutin-treated mice compared to those in the control group. Additionally, rutin treatment was associated with marked improvements in skin lesions, characterized by reduced crust formation and epidermal thickness. qRT-PCR analysis indicated that rutin administration downregulated the mRNA expression of Tnf, Hif1a, Ptgs2, Tlr4, Nfkb1, Mtor, and Il2 in the lesional skin.

These findings suggest that rutin holds promise as a therapeutic agent for psoriasis, as it effectively ameliorates IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice through modulation of multiple signaling pathways and inflammatory mediators.