Phytochemical Screening and Metallic Ion Content and Its Impact on the Antipsoriasis Activity of Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Calendula officinalis and Phlebodium decumanum in an Animal Experiment Model

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of metal ions present in soil as well as in leaf samples of Calendula officinalis and Phlebodium decumanum for the treatment of psoriasis.

Materials and methods: To meet the objective, soil and leaf samples were estimated for metal ions by atomic absorption spectrophotometer to determine the influence in antipsoriatic activity. Thereafter imiquimod-induced dermatitis lesions were created in grouped mice. Two plant extracts (aqueous) separately as well as in combinations and standard Retino-A (0.05%) were used. Psoriasis severity index (PSI) was evaluated according to the phenotypic (redness, erythema, and scales) and histological features (epidermal thickness). Further content of phytochemicals in terms of extract was correlated with the effect of psoriasis activity.

Results: We observed redness, erythema, and scales and the histological features and found a progressive reduction (P<0.05) in the severity of psoriatic lesions (redness, erythema, and scales) from days 7 to 21 and decreased epidermal thickness in animals treated with combined extracts at a dose of 200 mg/kg b.w. Furthermore, plant samples procured from the Nandi Hills, Bangalore, showed better uptake of metals with respect to Fe (2.05 mg/kg), Cu (0.78 mg/kg), and Zn (1.12 mg/kg), which showed a positive impact on procurement of maximum amount of extracts that further correlated with the activity, indicating a significant reduction in psoriatic lesions.

Conclusion: The results revealed that the significant dose-dependent antipsoriasis activity of combined aqueous extracts of C. officinalis and P. decumanum as well as metal ions had an impact on the procurement of extracts and said activity.

Keywords: Calendula officinalis; Epidermal thickness; PSI; Phlebodium decumanum; correlation; psoriasis.