Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Licochalcone D Alleviates Psoriasiform Skin Inflammation by Inhibiting Kv1.3 Channels

Received: 5 November 2025     Accepted: 9 December 2025     Published: 24 December 2025
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Abstract

Objective: To investigate the blocking effect of licochalcone D on the voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1.3 and its potential therapeutic efficacy in psoriasiform skin inflammation, thereby providing experimental evidence for its use as an immunomodulatory candidate drug. Methods: The inhibitory effects of licochalcone D on exogenous and endogenous Kv1.3 currents were recorded by whole-cell patch-clamp. Ca2+ influx in Jurkat T cells was monitored with Fura-2 AM imaging. A ConA-induced T-cell activation model was established to quantify IL-2 secretion. An imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mouse model was then established for in-vivo pharmacodynamic evaluation of licochalcone D. Results: Licochalcone D concentration-dependently inhibited Kv1.3 currents, with IC50 values of 28.77 ± 3.40 nM in HEK293T cells and 497.72 ± 87.30 nM in Jurkat T cells. Ca2+ imaging revealed that it suppressed Ca2+ influx in T cells. Animal studies demonstrated that licochalcone D markedly improved psoriasiform lesions (erythema, scaling, thickening), reduced PASI scores and itching, alleviated epidermal hyperplasia and inflammatory infiltration, and down-regulated IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23 expression. Conclusion: Licochalcone D exerts immunomodulatory effects by blocking Kv1.3 channels, thereby alleviating psoriasiform skin inflammatory responses. This provides an experimental foundation and theoretical support for its potential as a targeted immunotherapy drug.

Published in Science Discovery (Volume 13, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.sd.20251306.17
Page(s) 143-148
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Licochalcone D, Kv1.3 Channel, Psoriasis, T Cells, Immunomodulation

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Long, H., Xiang, Q., Lan, Z., Bai, L., Yin, S. (2025). Licochalcone D Alleviates Psoriasiform Skin Inflammation by Inhibiting Kv1.3 Channels. Science Discovery, 13(6), 143-148. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251306.17

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    ACS Style

    Long, H.; Xiang, Q.; Lan, Z.; Bai, L.; Yin, S. Licochalcone D Alleviates Psoriasiform Skin Inflammation by Inhibiting Kv1.3 Channels. Sci. Discov. 2025, 13(6), 143-148. doi: 10.11648/j.sd.20251306.17

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    AMA Style

    Long H, Xiang Q, Lan Z, Bai L, Yin S. Licochalcone D Alleviates Psoriasiform Skin Inflammation by Inhibiting Kv1.3 Channels. Sci Discov. 2025;13(6):143-148. doi: 10.11648/j.sd.20251306.17

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sd.20251306.17,
      author = {Haiqing Long and Qiu Xiang and Zhuxuan Lan and Luxiang Bai and Shijin Yin},
      title = {Licochalcone D Alleviates Psoriasiform Skin Inflammation by Inhibiting Kv1.3 Channels
    },
      journal = {Science Discovery},
      volume = {13},
      number = {6},
      pages = {143-148},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sd.20251306.17},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251306.17},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sd.20251306.17},
      abstract = {Objective: To investigate the blocking effect of licochalcone D on the voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1.3 and its potential therapeutic efficacy in psoriasiform skin inflammation, thereby providing experimental evidence for its use as an immunomodulatory candidate drug. Methods: The inhibitory effects of licochalcone D on exogenous and endogenous Kv1.3 currents were recorded by whole-cell patch-clamp. Ca2+ influx in Jurkat T cells was monitored with Fura-2 AM imaging. A ConA-induced T-cell activation model was established to quantify IL-2 secretion. An imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mouse model was then established for in-vivo pharmacodynamic evaluation of licochalcone D. Results: Licochalcone D concentration-dependently inhibited Kv1.3 currents, with IC50 values of 28.77 ± 3.40 nM in HEK293T cells and 497.72 ± 87.30 nM in Jurkat T cells. Ca2+ imaging revealed that it suppressed Ca2+ influx in T cells. Animal studies demonstrated that licochalcone D markedly improved psoriasiform lesions (erythema, scaling, thickening), reduced PASI scores and itching, alleviated epidermal hyperplasia and inflammatory infiltration, and down-regulated IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23 expression. Conclusion: Licochalcone D exerts immunomodulatory effects by blocking Kv1.3 channels, thereby alleviating psoriasiform skin inflammatory responses. This provides an experimental foundation and theoretical support for its potential as a targeted immunotherapy drug.
    },
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Licochalcone D Alleviates Psoriasiform Skin Inflammation by Inhibiting Kv1.3 Channels
    
    AU  - Haiqing Long
    AU  - Qiu Xiang
    AU  - Zhuxuan Lan
    AU  - Luxiang Bai
    AU  - Shijin Yin
    Y1  - 2025/12/24
    PY  - 2025
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251306.17
    DO  - 10.11648/j.sd.20251306.17
    T2  - Science Discovery
    JF  - Science Discovery
    JO  - Science Discovery
    SP  - 143
    EP  - 148
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2331-0650
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251306.17
    AB  - Objective: To investigate the blocking effect of licochalcone D on the voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1.3 and its potential therapeutic efficacy in psoriasiform skin inflammation, thereby providing experimental evidence for its use as an immunomodulatory candidate drug. Methods: The inhibitory effects of licochalcone D on exogenous and endogenous Kv1.3 currents were recorded by whole-cell patch-clamp. Ca2+ influx in Jurkat T cells was monitored with Fura-2 AM imaging. A ConA-induced T-cell activation model was established to quantify IL-2 secretion. An imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mouse model was then established for in-vivo pharmacodynamic evaluation of licochalcone D. Results: Licochalcone D concentration-dependently inhibited Kv1.3 currents, with IC50 values of 28.77 ± 3.40 nM in HEK293T cells and 497.72 ± 87.30 nM in Jurkat T cells. Ca2+ imaging revealed that it suppressed Ca2+ influx in T cells. Animal studies demonstrated that licochalcone D markedly improved psoriasiform lesions (erythema, scaling, thickening), reduced PASI scores and itching, alleviated epidermal hyperplasia and inflammatory infiltration, and down-regulated IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23 expression. Conclusion: Licochalcone D exerts immunomodulatory effects by blocking Kv1.3 channels, thereby alleviating psoriasiform skin inflammatory responses. This provides an experimental foundation and theoretical support for its potential as a targeted immunotherapy drug.
    
    VL  - 13
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Ethnomedicine Level 3 Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, China

  • Ethnomedicine Level 3 Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, China

  • Ethnomedicine Level 3 Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, China

  • Ethnomedicine Level 3 Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, China

  • Ethnomedicine Level 3 Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, China

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