On Thursday, August 15, 2024, the master's student (Shan Mohammed Khorshid) from the Department of Pharmacology successfully defended her thesis titled:
"Effects of Topical Melatonin and Rutin on Imiquimod-Induced Model of Psoriasis in Mice."
The study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-psoriatic effects of 5% melatonin ointment and 4% rutin ointment in comparison to 0.05% clobetasol ointment on psoriasis-like conditions induced by imiquimod in a mouse model. This was achieved by exploring their effects on cytokines (TNF-α, IL-17), oxidative stress marker (MDA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and the proliferation marker (Ki67) in skin tissues, in addition to histopathological examination of the skin.
The results of the study demonstrated that both topical treatments with melatonin and rutin significantly reduced the inflammatory markers of psoriasis-like lesions, which were further supported by histological examination of the skin. Additionally, there was a significant reduction in the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score, and a significant decrease (P < 0.001) in the levels of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-17), VEGF, MDA, and Ki67 in the skin tissues of the clobetasol, melatonin, and rutin groups compared to the induction group. Furthermore, histopathological findings showed a significant attenuation (P < 0.001) of imiquimod-induced psoriasis in mice. Topical rutin led to a significant reduction in VEGF levels, while rutin also showed a more substantial decrease in IL-17 cytokine levels (P < 0.001). Regarding histopathological examination, the rutin group was the most effective in alleviating psoriasis lesions.
This study supports the anti-psoriatic activity of both 5% topical melatonin ointment and 4% topical rutin ointment in the imiquimod-induced psoriasis model in mice.
The defense committee consisted of:
- Prof. Dr. Inas Jawad Kazem (Chair)
- Assist. Prof. Dr. Farah Rasul Jaafar (Member)
- Assist. Prof. Dr. Kholoud Abbas Ali (Member)
- Prof. Dr. Ahmed Rahmeh Abu Ragheef (Member and Supervisor)
The thesis was accepted with distinction.
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