Ant venom would be effective in dermatological treatment to treat the psoriasisaccording to results of a study published in the medical journal Scientific Reports. Conclusions obtained on mice.
Solenopsins are the main toxic components of ant venom. They chemically resemble ceramides, lipid molecules essential for maintaining the skin’s barrier function.
Researchers at Emory University (Atlanta) in the United States have developed two compounds analogous to solenopsin and applied them as a cream to mice genetically modified to have psoriasis.
Ant venom, a new dermatological therapeutic voice
Researchers observed that mice treated with solenopsin analogs showed a decrease in skin thickness compared to the control group (about 30%). The treated mice also produced 50% fewer immune cells that infiltrate the skin. When applied to cultured immune cells, the compounds decreased cellular production of the inflammatory signal IL-22 and increased production of anti-inflammatory IL-12, in short, they reduced the evolution of the disease.
“We believe that solenopsin analogs contribute to the full restoration of barrier function in the skin,” says Jack Arbiser, professor of dermatology at Emory University School of Medicine.
These findings could lead to new treatments for psoriasis, an autoimmune skin disease. Topical steroids are the most commonly used drugs for psoriasis mild to moderate, but they have side effects such as thinning of the skin and bruising.
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