Liangxue Xiaoban decoction and its disassembled prescriptions ameliorate psoriasis-like skin lesions induced by imiquimod in mice via T cell regulation

Objective:To explore the therapeutic capacity of the Liangxue Xiaoban(LXXB)decoction and its disassembled prescriptions in the modulation of T cell subsets and recurrence-related indexes of psoriasis using a psoriasis-like mouse model.Methods:The psoriasis model was generated by the treatment of BALB/c mice(n=48)with imiquimod.Mice were divided into six groups:control,psoriasis model,tripterygium glycosides,LXXB decoction,Liangxue decoction,and Qingqi decoction.After the intervention period,the interleukin(IL)-17A,IL-22,and interferon-γ levels in mice were examined and hematoxylin and eosin staining was conducted to determine pathological changes in the skin tissues.T cell subset changes in the skin-draining lymph nodes were analyzed using flow cytometry,and the expression levels of the associated transcription factors and recurrence-related indexes in the skin tissues were determined using a polymerase chain reaction.Results:LXXB decoction attenuated the levels of CD8^(+)T,Th17,and Th1 cells and induced an increase in the Th2 and Treg cell levels.The disassembled prescriptions promoted or inhibited specific subsets of T cells to improve the symptoms of psoriasis.Notably,the LXXB and Liangxue decoctions suppressed the expression of IL-22 at both the gene and protein levels and restored the CD103 and IL-15 expressions in the skin tissue to the normal range.Conclusion:LXXB decoction exerted significant immunoregulatory effects on T cell subsets and improved the recurrence-related indexes.Interestingly,the Liangxue prescription appeared to have a therapeutic advantage in terms of Th17 modulation and psoriasis recurrence,while the Qingqi prescription performed better in Treg immunoregulation.