Volume 44 (2026) – Supplementary Issue 1 – Article 16 – Epitheorese Klinikes Farmakologias kai Farmakokinetikes

Abstract
Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by epidermal hyperproliferation, exces­sive cytokine production, and oxidative stress. Over time, these processes disrupt cellular redox homeostasis and dysregulate the immune system. Consequently, there is an increasing interest in investigating natural bioactive com­pounds. Chrysanthemin (cyanidin-3-O-glucoside), a plant-derived anthocyanin abundant in pigmented fruits, has re­ceived special attention for its documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Aim: This study investigated the effects of chrysanthemin on oxidative stress, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and the systemic immune checkpoint protein fibrinogen-like protein 1 (FGL1) in an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like rat model. Methodology: Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into six groups (n=6). Psoriasis-like dermatitis was induced by topical 5% IMQ cream for 7 days. Following IMQ discontinuation, animals received a 10-day treatment with either vehicle (induction control), standard topical clobetasol (0.05%), oral chrysanthemin (40 mg/kg/day), topical 2% chry­santhemin gel, combination of oral chrysanthemin and topical clobetasol. Serum FGL1, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH), as well as tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), were measured via ELISA. Epidermal TNF-α ex­pression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results: IMQ exposure significantly decreased antioxidant de­fenses and elevated inflammatory markers. The combination therapy (oral chrysanthemin + topical clobetasol) demonstrated the most prominent protective response compared to the untreated induction group, significantly re­storing serum SOD (912.93 ± 16.47 vs. 464.60 ± 27.87 pg/mL) and GSH (86.85 ± 3.75 vs. 35.31 ± 2.32 µg/mL), and reducing tissue MDA (199.35 ± 1.89 vs. 457.44 ± 1.66 ng/mL) and serum FGL1 (0.98 ± 0.06 vs. 3.97 ± 0.64 ng/mL) (p<0.05 for all). Furthermore, the median immunoreactive score (IRS) for TNF-α was markedly reduced to 1 in the combination group, compared to 10.5 in the induction group. Conclusion: Chrysanthemin improved oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarker profiles, including TNF-α and FGL1, in this psoriasis-like rat model. While these findings suggest its potential role in restoring redox homeostasis and modulating inflammatory pathways, further studies are required to fully establish its mechanistic therapeutic efficacy.

Keywords: psoriasis, chrysanthemin, oxidative stress, TNF-α, FGL1

Please cite as: Al-Shanan N., ALZubaidy G., Al-Shammary R.: Effects of chrysanthemin on oxidative stress, TNF-α, and FGL1 in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis in rats. Epitheorese Klin. Farmakol. Farmakokinet. xx(xx): xx-xx (2026). DOI: 10.61873/XXXXXXX