Exploring the Mechanism of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix in the Treatment of Psoriasis Using a Network Pharmacology Approach and Experimental Validation

This study investigates the therapeutic effects of Notopterygii rhizoma et radix (Qiang Huo, QH), a Traditional Chinese Medicine, on psoriasis. Using a network pharmacology approach and experimental validation on Imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mice and LPS-induced keratinocyte models, QH was found to significantly alleviate skin symptoms, improve pathological changes, inhibit keratinocyte proliferation, and reduce inflammation. The study identified the phosphoinositide-3 kinase/protein kinase-B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR), Erbb, and interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling pathways as key mechanisms of QH's action. This is the first study to demonstrate QH's anti-psoriatic effects via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, suggesting QH as a promising multi-target alternative to conventional psoriasis treatments.