Multi-Target Therapeutic Potential of Psoralen and Diosgenin against Psoriasis via Network Pharmacology

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin condition marked by keratinocyte hyperproliferation, immunological dysregulation, and oxidative stress, profoundly impacting patients' quality of life. Existing therapy modalities, including topical medicines, systemic medications, and biologics, encounter constraints including unpleasant effects, elevated costs, and suboptimal therapeutic results. Natural substances exhibiting multi-target pharmacological characteristics provide a viable option for the therapy of psoriasis. This research utilizes a network pharmacology method to extensively examine the therapeutic potential and mechanisms of Psoralen and Diosgenin in regulating pathways linked with psoriasis. Genes associated with psoriasis were extracted from several databases, and a robust protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was established, highlighting critical hub proteins including IL6, TNF, PTGS2, and STAT3. Analysis of compound– target interactions revealed that Psoralen mostly targets superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), which is crucial for antioxidant defense, while Diosgenin engages with many targets, including MAPK8, TNF, and PTGS2, that are implicated in inflammatory and immunological signaling pathways. Gene Ontology (GO) and illness enrichment analysis corroborated the significant correlation of these targets with psoriasis vulgaris, psoriatic arthritis, and other immune-inflammatory conditions.ADME assessment using the SwissADME methodology revealed advantageous pharmacokinetic characteristics for both substances, including increased gastrointestinal absorption, blood-brain barrier permeability, and drug-likeness. The integrated network analysis elucidates the synergistic processes of Psoralen and Diosgenin, whereby their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties together address psoriasis pathogenesis. This multi-target approach highlights their promise as viable therapeutic options, prompting more experimental validation and clinical research. The research highlights the significance of network pharmacology in facilitating the identification of innovative multi-target therapies for intricate illnesses like psoriasis.