Psoriasis

In a previous screening study of 302 patients with psoriasis vulgaris (PsoV), 16% were found to have immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies to gliadin (AGA). The majority of AGA-positive patients had no serum antibodies to endomysium. Endomysium antibodies are markers of coeliac disease, but the absence of these antibodies does not preclude the presence of gluten sensitivity. Although the increase in intraepithelial lymphocytes in the duodenal mucosa was mild in 40% and seemingly absent in 60% of IgA AGA-positive PsoV patients, a controlled study of the effects of a gluten-free diet showed that there was a significant improvement of the psoriasis. The mechanisms of the improvement are not yet known (Lindqvist et al., 2002).

Bai Hua She/Bungarus 

Modern research showed that Bai Hua She had sedative and analgesic effects. It could lower blood pressure by dilating blood vessels.

In clinic, it's used to treat stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, infantile convulsion, tetanus, lepra and ascariasis, etc.

Bai Zhi/Angelicae dahuricae 

Modern research showed that Bai Zhi had anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects. Its active ingredient xanthotoxin could be used in coronary artery insufficiency to prevent angina pectoris, kill cancer cells and elevate plasma cuprum content in rats with vitiligo. Dehydrated byak angelicin could significantly dilate coronary vessels. Angelicin at low amounts could excite vasomotor center and elevate blood pressure; it could also excite respiratory center, vagus nerve center and spinal cord. Bai Zhi also had analgesic effect; it could antagonize the toxins of arsenic and snake.

In clinic, this herb is used to treat rhinitis, topical eczema, facial paralysis, chronic dacryocystitis, acne, chloasma and snakebites, etc.

Effects of single herbal drugs on adhesion and migration of melanocytes.

Zhang X, Feng J, Mu K, Ma H, Niu X, Liu C, Dang Q. J Tradit Chin Med. 2005 Sep;25(3):219-21.

OBJECTIVE: To find herbs with effects on adhesion and migration of melanocytes in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ethanol extracts from 14 herbs were tested. Normal human melanocytes were obtained from neonatal foreskin, and the 48-well culture dish covered with fibronectin was used for the melanocyte adhesion assay. Motility was assessed by using the micropore filter method. RESULTS: The extracts of Danshen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae), Tusizi (Semen Cuscutae) and Honghua (Flos Carthami) could enhance melanocyte adhesion to fibronectin, while Cijili (Fructus Tribuli) and Huangqi (Radix Astragali) promote melanocyte migration in vitro. Buguzhi (Fructus Psoraleae), Nü Zhen Zi (Fructus Ligustri Lucidi) and Baizhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae) could promote both adhesion and migration of melanocytes. CONCLUSION: The above herbs may play a role through promoting adhesion and/or migration of melanocytes in the treatment of vitiligo.

Studies on chemical protectors against radiation. XXVI. Protective effect of various extracts on crude drugs on skin injury induced by X-irradiation

Sato Y, Ohta S, Sakurai N, Shinoda M. Yakugaku Zasshi. 1989 Feb;109(2):113-8.

The protective potency against skin injury on mice induced by X-irradiation was studied by use of 72 extracts of crude drugs. The protective potency was determined according to the degrees on skin injury after irradiation of 1100R, 30 k Vp soft X-ray. As a result of these study, 16 kinds of crude drugs such as Rosae Fructus, Aloe arborescens (Herba), Citri Leiocarpae Exocarpium, Schizonepetae Spica, Evodiae Fructus, Bupleuri Radix, Corni Fructus, Perillae Herba, Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, Menthae Herba, Trapae Fructus, Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, Sinomeni Caulis et Rhizoma, Ephedrae Herba, Acer nikoense (Cortex), Forsythiae Fructus, revealed protective potencies on skin injury.

Du Huo/Angelicae pubescentis

Modern research showed that this herb had sedative, hypnotic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, anti-ulcer, anti-bacterial and anti-tumor effects. It could lower blood pressure and could inhibit isolated heart of frogs. 

In clinic, Du Huo is used to treat sciatica, gout, periarthritis humeroscapularis, prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc, acute tendon sprain, cold bi syndrome, dermatasclerosis, vitiligo, chronic bronchitis and insomnia, etc.

Along with phototherapy, xanthotoxin 20 mg (adult) may be given by mouth once daily. This agent can also be applied locally to the skin (Goodman et al, 1971). 

Hu Zhang/Polygoni cuspidate 

Modern research showed that Hu Zhang had anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-tussive, and anti-asthmatic effects. It could protect the liver and promote bile secretion. Its active ingredient polydatin could lower blood pressure for 2~3 hours after a slight and short increase, and could inhibit the platelet aggregation induced by Ca 2+ . Emodin contained in Hu Zhang could regulate gastrointestinal tract, and had anti-tumor effect. Besides, Hu Zhang could also lower blood sugar, cholesterol and triglyceride.

In Clinic, this herb is used to treat infantile pneumonia, acute viral hepatitis, hyperlipemia, burn, leucopenia after radiotherapy, digestive tract bleeding, neonatal jaundice, cervical erosion and colpitis mycotica, etc.

Hu zhang, hu zhang tannides and hu zhang complex prescription could be used as the medications for surface of wound, it had scabbing promoting and anti-infection effects. It could reduce the oozing of wounded area, prevent the loss of water and electrolyte, and promote the heal of wound area. Clinic observation also showed good effects of hu zhang preparation on burn (Wen et al, 1998). 

Qing Dai/Indigo

Modern research showed that Qing Dai had anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and sedative effects. It could restore cellular immunity to normal level; protect the liver and lower WBC count.

In clinic, this herb is used to treat chronic granulocytic leukemia, epilepsy, hepatitis, whooping cough, mumps, hemoptysis, acute tonsillitis, peptic ulcer, colonitis, burn, colpitis, pruritus vulvae, chronic ulcer in the lower limbs, oral ulcer, and skin diseases including eczema, shingles and psoriasis, etc.

Anti-psoriatic effects of indigo naturalis on the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes with indirubin as the active component.

Lin YK, Leu YL, Yang SH, Chen HW, Wang CT, Pang JH. J Dermatol Sci. 2009 Jun;54(3):168-74. Epub 2009 Mar 19.

BACKGROUND: Indigo naturalis has shown efficacy in treating psoriasis in our previous clinical studies. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the potential effect of indigo naturalis on regulating keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. METHODS: Skin samples from six patients were analyzed for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and involucrin expression by immunohistochemical staining. In addition, indigo naturalis extracts from 10 to 500 microg/ml were added to cultured keratinocytes and cell viability determined. Real-time RT-PCR, Western blotting analysis and indirect immunofluorescent labeling were used to investigate the messenger (m)RNA and protein expressions of PCNA and involucrin. Finally, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify major components of indigo naturalis and their in vitro effects compared. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical results demonstrated decreased PCNA and increased involucrin in psoriatic lesions after indigo naturalis treatment. Cultured keratinocytes decreased after indigo naturalis treatment, while G(0)/G(1) arrest was observed to dose-dependently increase. Staining revealed decreased PCNA-stained nuclei and increased cytosolic involucrin in treated keratinocytes. Decreased PCNA and increased involucrin at both the mRNA and protein levels were confirmed. Both major components, indirubin and indigo, could cause G(0)/G(1) phase arrest; however, only indirubin modulated the expressions of PCNA and involucrin similar to indigo naturalis. CONCLUSIONS: Together, these findings indicate that the anti-psoriatic effects of indigo naturalis are mediated, at least in part, by modulating the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes, with indirubin as the major active component.

Successful treatment of pediatric psoriasis with Indigo naturalis composite ointment.  

Lin YK, Yen HR, Wong WR, Yang SH, Pang JH. Pediatr Dermatol. 2006 Sep-Oct;23(5):507-10. 

The treatment of psoriasis in children is still an intractable problem and demands a long-term therapy with prolonged efficacy that is free from serious adverse events. Many modes of therapy are currently in use but the disease is often resistant to treatment owing to the unacceptable toxicity that leads to poor compliance. Therefore, to develop an alternative treatment is indispensable. Traditional Chinese medicine has been documented for over 1000 years to provide various effective treatments for inflammatory skin diseases. Herein, we report an 8-year-old boy with recalcitrant pediatric psoriasis who, after multiple treatment failures with conventional antipsoriatic medications, showed remarkable clinical improvement with 8 weeks of topical treatment with Indigo naturalis composite ointment. Remission has lasted for over 2 years until now. Our patient's response suggests that topical Indigo naturalis composite ointment may provide a safe and effective alternative treatment for pediatric psoriasis.

Tu Fu Ling/Smilacis

Modern research showed that Tu Fu Ling could restore renal function, kill leptospira and had anti-gout as well as anti-cancer effects.

In clinic, this herb is used to treat syphilis, leptospira, acute and chronic nephritis, measles, psoriasis, flat wart, neck scrofula, cancers, chronic ulcerative colonitis, poisoning and erysipelas, etc.

Psoriasis

tu fu ling, bai xian pi, sheng di, xuan shen, dan shen, ku shen, ma ren, shan dou gen, cao he che were made into honeyed pill, 9g each pill, 2 pills being taken in three times. 1 month as a course of treatment (Wen et al, 1998).

Wu Shao She/Zaocys

Modern research showed Wu Shao She had sedative and analgesic effects.

In clinic, it's used to treat bi syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, cervical spondylopathy, sciatica, postpartum body pain, thromboangiitis obliterans, psoriasis, itching skin diseases including eczema and bone tuberculosis, osteo myelitis, etc.

Urticaria

Si Chong Tang (wu shao she 5~10g, guang di long 9~15g, jiang can 6~12g, chan tui 3~6g) was used to treat 100 cases of urticaria, 1 dose daily, water decoction. 60 cases were cured, 32 effective and 8 ineffective (Wen et al, 1998).

Cutaneous pruritus

Gui Shao Shou Wu Yin (dang gui 15g, bai shao 10g, zhi shou wu 10g, bai xian pi 15g, di fu zi 10g, bai ji li 10g, jiang can 10g, chan tui 10g, jing jie 10g, fang feng 10g) was used to treat 19 cases of middle-aged or senile cutaneous pruritus, 10 were cured, 8 improved and 1 ineffective (Wen et al, 1998).

Zhu Ling/Polyporus

Modern research showed that Zhu Ling had diuretic and anti-cancer effects. It could protect the liver, and improve the function of reticuloendothelial system. It also had anti-bacterial effect.

In clinic, this herb is used to treat lung cancer, chronic viral hepatitis, hepatitis B, nephritis, chronic congestive heart failure, prostatitis and ascites due to hepatic cirrhosis, etc.

References

Goodman LS et al. The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 4th edition. 1971. p. 996.

Lindqvist  U, Rudsander  A, Bostrom  A, Nilsson  B, Michaelsson G. IgA antibodies to gliadin and coeliac disease in psoriatic arthritis. Rheumatology 2002; 41: 31-37 

Wen Weiliang, Fang Shuting, Li Chunsheng, Gao Xiaoshan, Hu Shilin, Chen Fuxin, Zhao Ronglai, Wang Junxuan, Shi Zaixiang, Su Chenlian, Lin Lan, Ye Yisen, Hu Jin, Yu Yingqi, Yu Zhenxuan, Yao Baosen, Wu Jin, Zhang Shuliang, Hou Rongxian, Kou Qiu’ai. Clinical Chinese materia medica, Henan Science & Technology Press, 1998