Effect of metformin gel against imiquimod–induced psoriasis in mice

Imiquimod-induced psoriasis is an animal model of psoriasis.  The antidiabetic metformin had anti-inflammatory, immunomodulation, antiangiogenesis and antiproliferative effect. The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible beneficial effect of metformin gel against imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like form by scoring the erythema and scaling besides measuring of tissue homogenate levels of IL17/IL23. Swiss albino mice were used in this experiment imiquimod 5% cream applied on shaved back of mice for six days, and this is an induction group and compared with a negative control group that involved mice treated with ointment base only for six days. Third group; metformin 10% gel applied on the back of mice with imiquimod for six days. The fourth group included used of metformin 15% gel with imiquimod for six days. This data was analysed for significant level when p ≥ 0.05 by using either ANOVA test for biochemical parameters levels evaluation.    Furthermore, imiquimod 5% cream of induction group caused an elevation of inflammatory parameters; IL17 and IL23 in skin tissue homogenate when being compared to   IL17   and IL23 level of the control group. Whereas, metformin 10% gels showed levels of IL17 and IL23 with significant different from induction group. In addition, metformin 15% gels exerted a significantly low level of IL17 and IL23. The possible considerable antipsoriatic activity of topical metformin gel through reducing scaling and erythema and mediated through modest anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing levels of IL17/23.