Viromed said Monday that it has scientifically identified ow PG102, a single extract from hardy kiwi, can treat psoriasis, and published the results in an international journal.

In the study, the company observed IL-37, a cytokine, plays a vital role in the expression of antimicrobial peptides in human keratinocyte cell lines (derived from dermal keratinocytes). The antimicrobial peptides are substances in the body that cause psoriasis and various skin diseases.

IL-37 causes a variety of inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis as well as atopy, asthma, rhinitis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

The team also found that PG102 increased IL-37 by activating three different signaling pathways, SMAD3, extracellular signal-regulated kinases, and p38, resulting in reduced production of antimicrobial peptides.

In particular, SMAD3 is a critical molecule that regulates the function of IL-37. PG102 induces the binding of SMAD3 and IL-37, thereby directly inducing the role of IL-37.

Viromed has been studying PG102 for the past decade and has proved that the natural product has a significant effect on allergy and skin diseases, including anti-psoriasis and anti-atopy.

“The research is of great significance as it is the first research to clarify the relationship between IL-37 and antimicrobial peptides,” the company said.

As the company identified the role of IL-37 concerning the function of PG102, the team plans to investigate whether PG102 can treat a variety of inflammatory diseases as well as skin diseases such as psoriasis and atopy.

“PG102 is commercialized as a ‘health functional food that helps improve immune and hypersensitive responses’ under the brand name Alex,” said Son Mi-won, director of Natural Products Research Department at Viromed. “Based on the results of this study, the company plans to develop PG102 as medicine that targets chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as atopy and psoriasis.”​​​​​​

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