ABSTRACT
The antiproliferative and antipsoriatic activities were correlated with the action against nitric oxide production and lipid peroxidation. Alkaloids with described antipsoriatic properties can be found in Berberis aquifolium, whose bark has been traditionally used in North America for the treatment of several skin diseases, including psoriasis, and are mostly active in the lipoxygenase metabolism. M. Singh et al. studied the skin keratinocyte antiproliferative activity of the petroleum ether and ethanol extracts obtained from four medicinal plants, of Phyllanthus virgatus, Crotalaria juncea, Leucas aspera and Vitex glabrata. The treatment of skin diseases with plant extracts and natural products has been reported since ancient civilizations. Polyandric acid A may be useful in applications for skin inflammatory conditions including psoriasis and dermatitis. Because high concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α are present in the skin lesions and plasma of patients with psoriasis, Hypericum perforatum could be a promising treatment for this disease.
