Dynamic permanent magnetic field alleviates psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice by modulating the il-23/il-17 axis: an enhanced combined approach with calcipotriol

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis remains a therapeutic challenge, demanding safer, more effective, and cost-efficient treatment modalities. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanisms of Dynamic Permanent Magnetic Field (DPMF) intervention alone and in combination with calcipotriol in an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced mouse model of psoriasis. METHODS: Sixty-six male BALB/c mice were randomized into seven groups (n = 8-10/group). Following daily IMQ application, intervention groups received either 30-min or 60-min DPMF exposure, topical calcipotriol, or combination intervention for seven consecutive days. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores were recorded daily. Histopathological analysis quantified epidermal thickness and dermal inflammatory cell infiltration. Serum and tissue levels of IL-23/IL-17-related inflammatory markers were measured by ELISA and qRT-PCR. RESULTS: The 60-min DPMF regimen demonstrated superior efficacy compared to 30-min exposure. The calcipotriol plus 60-min DPMF group achieved the lowest PASI score (2.50 ± 0.76) and exhibited the least epidermal hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration. Furthermore, detection of IL-17, IL-22, and IL-23 levels in small samples of serum and tissue revealed that these indicators were nearly normalized following combined intervention. CONCLUSIONS: DPMF exposure was associated with downregulation of serum and tissue IL-23/IL-17-related inflammatory markers and improvement in psoriatic lesions, though direct mechanistic validation is required. Combining DPMF with calcipotriol produced enhanced therapeutic effects, providing preliminary experimental evidence for non-invasive physical intervention in psoriasis.