Evaluation of the therapeutic potential of Iraqi Anagyris foetida L. leaf extracts in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice.

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated disease characterized by an interplay between the immune cells and keratinocytes. Currently, plant extracts have attracted more attention due to their potential value in medicine. Anagyris foetida L. is a flowering plant of the Fabaceae family that grows in the Mediterranean region. Traditionally, it has been used to treat eczema. Their leaves are rich in bioactive compounds that may contribute to psoriasis treatment. The present study evaluates the therapeutic efficacy of A. foetida leaf extracts compared to clobetasol in an imiquimod-induced psoriasis mouse model. Sequential extraction of A. foetida leaves using solvents of increasing polarity. Ointments prepared from each extract were tested in a psoriasis-induced model. Seventy male mice were randomly divided into seven groups of ten mice each. The current study investigated clinical observations, PASI and Baker’s scores, histopathological assessments, and inflammatory biomarkers. Subsequently, the most efficient extract was analyzed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Among the tested extracts, the ethanol extract demonstrated the strongest anti-psoriatic activity, as evidenced by a significant reduction in PASI scores, improvements in epidermal hyperplasia and inflammatory infiltration on histopathological examination, and a significant reduction of psoriasis-related inflammatory cytokines. HPLC analysis identified N-methylcytisine and isorhamnetin, which may contribute to the observed pharmacological activity. The ethanol extract of A. foetida leaves significantly alleviated psoriasis-like inflammation in the imiquimod-induced mouse model, supporting its potential as a natural anti-psoriatic therapeutic candidate.