Research Progress on Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulating MAPK/p38 Signaling Pathway for Psoriasis Based on Network Pharmacology

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent immune-inflammatory skin disorder characterized by abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes and inflammatory infiltration of the dermis as its hallmark pathological features. Abnormal phosphorylation of the MAPK/p38 pathway promotes the release of pro-inflammatory factors such as IL-17 and IL-23, triggering an inflammatory cascade that contributes to disease progression. Western medical treatments can provide short-term symptom relief but are associated with high recurrence rates and significant adverse effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers therapeutic advantages due to its multi-component and multi-target mechanisms. Network pharmacology combined with molecular docking techniques enables a systematic elucidation of the action mechanisms of TCM formulations. This article focuses on the MAPK/p38 pathway to review relevant TCM interventions targeting this pathway in psoriasis management, analyze existing research limitations, explore future research directions, and provide theoretical insights for mechanistic studies and novel drug development in psoriasis treatment.