ZH alleviates psoriasis-like inflammation through suppressing systemic inflammation, improved intestinal barrier functions, and microbiota restoration, supporting its therapeutic potential in psoriasis management.
Zhuhuang Granules (ZH) reduced skin disease severity in an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis mouse model.
ZH suppressed systemic immune activation and keratinocyte proliferation in IMQ-treated mice.
ZH enhanced intestinal barrier function and reduced intestinal permeability and systemic endotoxemia.
ZH partially reversed IMQ-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis.
ZH altered the predicted abundance of microbial functional pathways related to immune regulation and lipid metabolism.
Antibiotic-mediated gut microbiota depletion attenuated the protective effects of ZH against IMQ-induced psoriasis-like inflammation.
This study tested Zhuhuang Granules, a traditional-medicine formulation, in mice with psoriasis-like skin inflammation induced by imiquimod, a cream that triggers psoriasis-like disease. Treated mice had milder skin disease: lower severity scores, less thickening of the skin, and less immune cell infiltration. Medium and high doses worked best. The treatment also lowered inflammatory signals, including IL-22, IL-1β, TNF-α and CCL20, and reduced spleen enlargement, a sign of body-wide immune activation. The researchers also looked at the gut. The treatment raised levels of proteins that keep the intestinal lining tight, and it reduced gut leakiness and the level of bacterial endotoxin in the blood. It partly shifted the gut bacterial community back toward a healthier pattern, including bacteria such as Lachnospiraceae groups and Bacteroides. When the mice's gut bacteria were largely wiped out with antibiotics, the benefit of the treatment was weakened. This suggests the gut microbes play a part in how it works. This research suggests that the gut-skin connection may be a useful target for psoriasis treatments. However, these results come from a mouse model, and the bacterial function findings were predicted from sequencing data rather than measured directly. Studies in people would be needed to know whether Zhuhuang Granules help human psoriasis.
Xiao Y, Xiao C, Li Q, Dang E, Zeng B, Luo M, et al.. (2026). Zhuhuang Granules alleviate psoriatic inflammation via restoring gut microbiota balance and enhancing intestinal barrier integrity.. Archives of microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-026-05231-8