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Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine >

2025 , Vol. 45 >Issue 6: 1317 - 1329

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2025.06.011

Original Articles

Psoriasis intervention by Huai’er (Trametes): unveiling novel targets via network pharmacology

  • Keyao LI ,
  • Ye SHU ,
  • Jing CHANG ,
  • Jianping TANG ,
  • Litao ZHANG ,
  • Zhu WEI
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  • 1 Department of Dermatology, Hunan Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya Medical College of Central South University, Changsha 410007, China; Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
    2 Department of Dermatology, Hunan Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya Medical College of Central South University, Changsha 410007, China
    3 Department of Dermatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China
    4 Department of Dermatology, Hunan Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya Medical College of Central South University, Changsha 410007, China

Received date: 2025-09-12

  Accepted date: 2025-01-26

  Online published: 2025-11-24

Supported by

Scientific Research Project of Hunan Provincial Health Commission: Effects and Mechanisms of Huaiqi Huang on the Proliferation and Migration of Psoriasis HaCaT Cells(D202304128233)

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effects of Huai'er (Trametes) on psoriasis by identifying specific molecular targets and pathways involved in regulating keratinocyte behavior and immune responses.

METHODS: Cellular experiments were conducted using human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) keratinocytes to evaluate the effects of Huai'er (Trametes) on cell proliferation, migration, and inflammatory factor expression. Additionally, an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like mouse model was established to assess the therapeutic efficacy of Huai'er (Trametes) in vivo. Network pharmacology and transcriptomic analyses were performed to identify potential targets and pathways.

RESULTS: Huai'er (Trametes) significantly inhibited HaCaT keratinocyte proliferation and migration in vitro, as evidenced by reduced 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation and wound healing rates. In the IMQ-induced psoriasis-like mouse model, Huai'er (Trametes) treatment reduced erythema, scaling, and dermal infiltration of inflammatory cells, demonstrating its efficacy in alleviating psoriasis symptoms. Network pharmacology and transcriptomic analyses identified signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) as a central target modulated by Huai'er (Trametes). This regulation was associated with decreased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-17A and tumor necrosis factor alpha, both in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that Huai'er (Trametes) exerts therapeutic effects on psoriasis by modulating STAT1, thereby inhibiting keratinocyte proliferation and inflammatory responses. The findings provide a foundation for further research into the potential of Huai'er (Trametes) as a treatment for psoriasis.

Key words： psoriasis; keratinocytes; inflammation; STAT1 transcription factor; network pharmacology; Huai'er (Trametes); weighted gene co-expression network analysis

Cite this article

Keyao LI , Ye SHU , Jing CHANG , Jianping TANG , Litao ZHANG , Zhu WEI . Psoriasis intervention by Huai’er (Trametes): unveiling novel targets via network pharmacology[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2025 , 45(6) : 1317 -1329 . DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2025.06.011

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