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Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 40806422 DOI: 10.3390/ijms26157290

The Therapeutic Potential of Galium verum for Psoriasis: A Combined Phytochemical, In Silico, and Experimental Approach.

Int J Mol Sci 26(15)

Authors: Branislava Daskalovic, Vladimir Jakovljevic, Sergej Bolevic, Marijana Andjic, Jovana Bradic, Aleksandar Kocovic, Milos Nikolic, Nikola Nedeljkovic, Jovan Milosavljevic, Jovan Baljak, Milos Krivokapic, Svetlana Trifunovic, Jasmina Sretenovic

Affiliations

  • Goodwill Pharma d.o.o. 24000 Subotica, Serbia.
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia.
  • Center of Excellence for Redox Balance Research in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia.
  • Department of Human Pathology, 1st Moscow State Medical University IM Sechenov, Trubetskaya Str. 2, 119992 Moscow, Russia.
  • Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia.
  • Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia.
  • Faculty of Medicine, University of Montenegro, Kruševac bb, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro.
  • Department of Cytology, Institute for Biological Research "Sinisa Stankovic"-National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder involving oxidative stress and immune dysregulation. Given the limitations and adverse effects of conventional therapies, interest in natural treatments with anti-oxidant and immunomodulatory properties is increasing. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the therapeutic potential of Galium verum extract in an imiquimod-induced rat model of psoriasis. The extract was chemically characterized by HPLC and evaluated for anti-oxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. Molecular docking studies targeted psoriasis-related proteins (IL-17, IL-22, IL-23, JAK2, MAPK2, NF-κB, STAT3), revealing strong binding affinities for rutin and quercetin, the extract's dominant bioactives. In vivo, 18 Wistar albino male rats were divided into control (CTRL), psoriasis (PSORI), and psoriasis treated with Galium verum (PSORI + GV) groups. A seven-day topical application of 5% imiquimod cream was used for the induction of psoriasis. The PSORI + GV group received 250 mg/kg Galium verum extract orally for 7 days. Morphometric and redox analyses were performed. Histological and morphometric analyses showed reduced epidermal thickness, inflammation, and collagen content. Redox analysis revealed lowered oxidative stress biomarkers and enhanced anti-oxidant defenses. These findings suggest that Galium verum extract exerts anti-psoriatic effects through antioxidative and immunomodulatory mechanisms, supporting its potential as a natural adjunct therapy for psoriasis.

MeSH

Imiquimod, Stress, Physiological, Oxidants, Oxidative Stress, Antioxidants, Therapeutics, Psoriasis, Phytochemicals