Effect of Myrrha Water Extract on Psoriasis-Like Skin Inflammation

Objectives: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by abnormal keratinocyte hyperproliferation and increased inflammatory signaling. Commiphora myrrha (myrrh), a traditional medicinal resin used in East Asian herbal medicine, has been applied to treat skin-related ailments due to its anti-inflammatory and healing properties. This study investigated the potential anti-psoriatic effects of aqueous myrrh extract in an in vitro psoriatic keratinocyte model using HaCaT cells.Methods: HaCaT keratinocytes were stimulated with a cytokine mixture (IL-17A, IL-22, oncostatin M, IL-1α, and TNF-α; collectively called M5) to mimic psoriatic conditions. Cell viability after aqueous myrrh extract treatment was evaluated using the MTT assay. The expression of keratin 6 (KRT6), a marker of hyperproliferation, was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-17, IL-22) and chemokines (MCP-1, CCL2, CCL5, CXCL1, CXCL8) were also analyzed.Results: Aqueous myrrh extract showed cytotoxicity at 1 mg/mL, whereas lower concentrations (0.05–0.5 mg/mL) were non-toxic and used in further experiments. It significantly reduced M5-induced KRT6 expression, indicating reduced hyperproliferation. It also suppressed IL-6, IL-17, and IL-22 expression, though TNF-α reduction was not significant. Among chemokines, CCL2, CCL5, CXCL1, and CXCL8 were significantly downregulated, while MCP-1 was unaffected.Conclusions: Aqueous myrrh extract alleviates keratinocyte hyperproliferation and inflammatory mediator expression in a psoriatic model. Its traditional use and demonstrated efficacy suggest myrrh as a promising candidate for anti-psoriatic therapy development.