Effects of rhubarb root extract on the morphology of tissues and organs in mice with experimental psoriasis

  Objective: To investigate the effect of rhubarb root extract on the morphology of tissues and organs of experimental psoriasis mice.

  Methods: Apply 5% imiquimod (5% IMQ) cream to the hairless area on the back of BALB/c mice for 6 consecutive days to establish a psoriasis-like animal model; give the corresponding intragastric administration with a volume of 0.2 mL/10 g Drugs, observe the positive control drugs (dexamethasone, Xiaoyin granules, abnormal mucus maturation agent), rhubarb root extract (1, 2, 4 g/kg) on mouse back skin, thymus, bone marrow, and spleen morphology , And its effect on the thymus and spleen organ index.

  Results: Compared with the model group, the low-dose group (1 g/kg) mice still had epithelial thickening and hypokeratosis; the middle-dose group (2 g/kg) mice had normal epithelium in most areas, and some areas were also visible Epithelial thickening; in the high-dose group (4 g/kg), the epithelium returned to normal in most areas of mice, but there were individual differences in epidermal thickening. Compared with the positive control drug group (dexamethasone, Xiaoyin granules, abnormal mucus maturation agent), mice in the low-dose group (1 g/kg) still showed obvious epithelial thickening and hypokeratosis; the middle-dose group (2 g/kg) the skin changes on the back of mice were basically similar to those in the Xiaoyin granules and abnormal mucus maturation control group; the back skin changes in the high-dose group (4 g/kg) mice were basically similar to those in the dexamethasone drug control group. Control group, model group, positive control drug group (dexamethasone, Xiaoyin granules, abnormal mucus maturation agent), rhubarb root extract group (L, M, H, 1, 2, 4 g/kg) mice There was no significant difference in morphology of thymus, bone marrow and spleen. Compared with the model group, the thymus and spleen organ indexes of the dexamethasone group decreased (P<0.01); 4="" the="" xiaoyin="" granule="" abnormal="" mucus="" maturator="" and="" rhubarb="" root="" extract="" group="" there="" was="" no="" statistically="" significant="" difference="" in="" effect="" on="" organ="" index="" of="" mouse="" thymus="" spleen="" p="">0.05). Compared with the dexamethasone group, the thymus and spleen organ indexes of the mice in the rhubarb root extract group (1, 2, 4 g/kg) increased (P<0.01).

  Conclusion: Rhubarb root extract can inhibit imiquimod-induced pathological changes in the back skin of mice with experimental psoriasis in a dose-dependent manner; however, it has no significant effect on the morphology of the thymus, bone marrow, and spleen.