Protective effect of cinnarizine on imiquimod-induced mouse model of psoriasis

Psoriasis is defined as a series of events. It starts as dermatitis and eventually advances to more extensive inflammation and elevated oxidative stress. The objective of the study is to investigate the possible anti-psoriatic effect of topical cinnarizine on imiquimod-induced psoriasis in mice based on observational, histopathological, and biochemical outcomes. This study included 32 Swiss albino mice who divided into 4 groups (8 for each group) as the following: Group I (control group) was neither induced nor treated and the other three groups were induced for psoriasis by using imiquimod (IMQ) once a day for 6 days and two of these groups subjected to different interventions for eight consecutive days, including topical clobetasol and cinnarizine ointment. All studied groups subjected to Baker and Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scores assessment in addition to the measurement of interleukin (IL)-17, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), and Ki-67 levels. The result of the study showed that topical cinnarizine significantly reduced the inflammatory signs of the psoriatic lesions, and these findings were supported by the histopathological examination. Additionally, topical cinnarizine significantly decreased IL-17, as well as TNF-α levels. They also reported an important drop in oxidative elements like MDA, and proliferative elements like Ki-67 when compared with the non-treated IMQ-induced psoriatic mice group. It was concluded that topical cinnarizine (3%) ointment demonstrated significant anti-psoriatic activity when compared with induced non-treated group with an effect comparable to that of standard treatment used (clobetasol).