Therapeutic potential of Rosa rugosa polysaccharide and its nanofiber membrane in psoriasis via PI3K-AKT/mTOR pathway inhibition

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with significant impacts on quality of life. Current treatments face challenges like high costs and side effects. This study explores the therapeutic potential of Rosa rugosa polysaccharide (RRPS) and its nanofiber membrane in psoriasis treatment. RRPS was extracted using a yeast fermentation enzyme-assisted method and characterized. In vitro studies on RAW264.7 macrophages showed that RRPS significantly reduced nitric oxide (NO) production, indicating anti-inflammatory effects. The nanofiber membrane, fabricated via electrospinning, has high porosity and sustained-release properties, enhancing drug delivery and skin barrier repair. In vivo studies using an imiquimod-induced psoriasis mouse model demonstrated that both RRPS and its nanofiber membrane improved psoriasis symptoms, reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17A). Mechanistically, they suppressed the PI3K-AKT/mTOR pathway. The nanofiber membrane showed superior efficacy compared to RRPS alone, highlighting the benefits of electrospinning. This study suggests that Rosa rugosa polysaccharide and its nanofiber membrane could be a novel, effective, and safe alternative for psoriasis treatment by targeting the PI3K-AKT/mTOR pathway.