ABSTRACT:
The plant Solanum xanthocarpum, Schrad. & Wendl. (Solanaceac) is one of the members of the dashamula (ten roots) in Ayurvedic system of medicine. The stem and fruits are used as an antipyretic, antiasthmatic and is prescribed in skin infections. The aim stem. Ethanolic stems extract ofS. xanthocarpum (ESX) was first subjected to phytochemical screening and quantification of identified phytoconstituents, which was further standardized with the help of HPTLC using chlorogenic acid as a marker. The extract was then subjected to acute oral toxicity study for determining the safety profile of the extract. Imiquimod-induced psoriatic mouse model was used for the study where treatment was carried out for 15 days both topically (Gel at 2.5, 5 and 10%) as well as orally (at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg po) and their Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) was calculated. The study also includes determination of levels of of TNF-a, IL-IB, IL-6 and IL-17 in the animal tissues which further included biochemical evaluations such as total collagen, hexosamine, hyaluronic acid DNA, protein antioxidant profiles such as lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase and catalase along with histopathological studies of the tissues. ESX showed the presence of mainly phenols, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and carbohydrates, while the chlorogenic acid was reported as 3.49% w/w. The imiquimod-induced psoriatic mouse model, depicted a potent antipsoriatic activity of the extract both topical (10%) and oral (200 and 400 mg/kg p.o, as evident through PASI grading The effect was found to be more prominent in case of topically treated as compared to orally treated mice. The results also showed a significant decrease in the levels of TNF-a, IL-IB, IL-6 and IL-17 in treated animal tissues, and also significant restoration of the altered biochemical parameters. Also, the histopathological studies revealed the regeneration of the fibroblast and sweat glands. The study scientifically justified the anti psoriatic activity of the ESX, which may be attributed to the cumulative effect of the phytoconstituents identified in the extract such as chlorogenic acid which has already becen reported to have significant role in skin infections. I the present investigation is to scientifically validate the anti-psoriatic potential of S. xanthocarpum.