Effects Of Montelukast On Imiquimod-Induced Model Of Psoriasis In Mice

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune-mediated skin disease characterized by abnormal increase in proliferation and uncontrolled differentiation of the epidermal keratinocytes, with a rapid turnover rate of the epidermal cell. Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist and had secondary anti-inflammatory properties made it able to target many immune cells (like eosinophils, monocytes, and corticosteroid insensitive neutrophils proposing) and an inhibitory effect on inflammatory cytokines. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential activity of topical Montelukast against imiquimod- induced psoriasiform skin inflammation in mice. A total of 30 Swiss albino mice were allocated randomly into 5 groups (of 6 mice each) and shaved on back. Base gel was topically applied on 1st and Imiquimod (5%) gel was topically applied on the remaining 4 groups daily for 6 days. The 3rd, 4th and 5th groups with imiquimod-induced psoriasiform skin inflammation were treated topically with clobetasol ointment, montelukast (5%) gel, montelukast (1%) gel daily for next 6 days. At end, the animals were sacrificed and skin was taken for measuring certain inflammatory biomarkers levels and for histopathological study. Montelukast could significantly attenuate the severity of psoriatic lesion score and decrease the inflammatory cytokines namely TNF α, IL-17, and IL-23. In conclusion, the present results suggested that topically applied montelukast gel exhibited significant anti-psoriatic and anti-inflammatory activities in imiquimod-induced psoriasiform skin inflammation in mice.