Dihydrochalcone Derivatives from Populus balsamifera L. Buds for the Treatment of Psoriasis

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences 2019-12, Vol.21 (1), p.256
• Main Authors: Bélanger, Audrey, Grenier, Alexe, Simard, François, Gendreau, Isabelle, Pichette, André, Legault, Jean, Pouliot, Roxane
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Topical; Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Antioxidants; Antioxidants - therapeutic use; balsacone; Buds; Chalcones - chemistry; Chalcones - pharmacology; Chalcones - therapeutic use; Chemical compounds; Dermatitis; Dermatologic Agents - pharmacology; Dermatologic Agents - therapeutic use; dihydrochalcone; Eczema; Epidermis - drug effects; Epidermis - pathology; Female; Homeostasis; Humans; Hyperplasia; in vitro study; Inflammation; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Ki-67 Antigen - metabolism; Male; Membrane Proteins - metabolism; Methotrexate; Methotrexate - therapeutic use; Middle Aged; Native Americans; Natural products; Patients; Pharmacology; Populus - chemistry; Populus balsamifera; Protein Precursors - metabolism; Proteins; Psoriasis; Psoriasis - drug therapy; Psoriasis - pathology; Quality of Life; Skin; Skin - pathology; Skin diseases; skin substitute; Staphylococcus infections; Substitutes; Tissue Engineering; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010256

Psoriasis is a skin disorder characterized by epidermal hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, and inflammation. The treatments currently available on the market only improve patients' quality of life and are associated with undesirable side effects. Thus, research leading to the development of new, effective, and safer therapeutic agents is still relevant. L. buds were used traditionally by Native Americans to treat various skin pathologies such as eczema and psoriasis. In this study, the antipsoriatic activities of dihydrochalcone derivatives from L. buds, known as balsacones, were investigated. The experiments were performed in vitro using a psoriatic skin substitute model. Also, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities were investigated. The tested balsacones showed promising antipsoriatic properties by slowing down cell growth and by regulating the expression of involucrin, loricrin, and Ki67 better than methotrexate in psoriatic substitutes. All five tested compounds could be an effective topical treatment for psoriasis, with promising anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions that may contribute to clinical improvement in patients with psoriasis.