Herbal cures for psoriasis, an autoimmune disorder

Abstract

Psoriasis is a persistent, long-lasting (chronic), immune-mediated inflammatory skin problem that changes the life cycle of skin cells There are several factors that contribute to the development and/or aggravation of the disease. The causes of psoriasis pathogenesis are generally a complex interaction among genetic, epigenetic, immunological, and environmental components that involve T cells (T lymphocytes) of the immune system which migrates to the dermis and trigger the release of several cytokines like interleukins (IL), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interferons (IF), thereby causing inflammation and rapid production of keratinocytes. Psoriasis also develops due to various stresses like oxidative stress, caused as a result of reactive oxygen species (ROS); psychological stress; and skin injuries. Lipoxygenases (LOXs), a class of enzymes producing inflammatory mediators, are also known to govern psoriasis pathogenesis. Excessive use of certain drugs such as lithium salt, beta blockers and the antimalarial drug chloroquininine can aggravate the disease as well. The bioactive compounds present in medicinal plants have remarkable antioxidant properties required for the protection of the cells against the damaging effects of ROS and LOXs. Thus, they prevent the body against the adverse effects caused by oxidative stress and/or inflammatory responses. These plants are therefore capable of preventing and/or curing pathological conditions of skin and inflammatory diseases. In this chapter, the plant extracts/phytocompounds that have efficient antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and, immuno-modulatory properties (the significant attributes essential for combating psoriasis), and can be further exploited as potent drug candidates for curing psoriasis were described to prospect them for drug discovery. © 2018 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.