Natural alternatives targeting psoriasis pathology and key signaling pathways: a focus on phytochemicals

Psoriasis is an autoimmune, chronic skin disorder with complex and yet unclear pathogenesis. It is associated with many conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, cardiometabolic syndrome, and depression, leading to a significant reduction in patients' quality of life. Currently, there is no established procedure to cure psoriasis, but only to control psoriasis symptoms and reduce psoriasis-related comorbidities. Research over the past decades is demonstrating a shift in the treatment framework of psoriasis and development of tailored treatment regimes in order to meet patient's specific needs based on treatment goals, disease severity, presence of comorbidities, response to previuos therapies, impact on quality of life, and reduction of health risks. Plants and plant-derived molecules have gained considerable interest as possible alternatives of current psoriasis treatments due to their multi-target benefits and fewer side effects compared to synthetic drugs. Natural products from herbal medicines have synergistic effects in alleviating psoriasis and its comorbidities because of their structural diversity and multiple active mechanisms. The potential of plant-derived molecules to regulate the balance between T regulatory (Treg) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells, the processes of cell proliferation and differentiation, and to control inflammation and oxidative stress have attracted more attention in basic and clinical studies. In this review, the balancing and regulating mechanisms that modulate some important signaling pathways involved in psoriasis are discussed and explained. [GRAPHICS]

Automated summary

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disorder with complex pathogenesis. Current research suggests a shift towards tailored treatment using plant-derived molecules to regulate important signaling pathways and alleviate psoriasis and its co-morbidities.