Research Article: Clinical and immunomicrobiome correlates of a standardized Qingpao Chushi Jiedu Fang regimen in palmoplantar pustulosis
Abstract:
Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis with limited therapeutic options. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulations may benefit PPP, yet microbiome-immune mechanisms underlying clinical response remain unclear.
To evaluate whether an 8-week standardized Qingpao Chushi Jiedu Fang (QCF) regimen is associated with coordinated changes in clinical severity, oral microbiota, and circulating cytokines in PPP.
Thirty PPP patients received an 8-week standardized Qingpao Chushi Jiedu Fang (QCF) regimen. Clinical severity (PPPASI, Palmoplantar Pustulosis Area and Severity Index; Dermatology Life Quality Index, DLQI; pruritus/pain Visual Analogue Scale, VAS), oral microbiota (16S rDNA sequencing), and serum cytokines (IL-1?, IL-4, IFN- ? , IFN- ? ) were assessed before and after treatment. Subgroup analyses were performed by smoking status.
PPPASI significantly decreased from week 2 onward ( p <?0.001), with further improvement at weeks 4 and 8, while week-6 vs. week-4 changes were non significant ( p >?0.05). DLQI declined significantly at weeks 4–8 ( p <?0.05). Pain scores showed improvement only at week 6 vs. week 2 ( p <?0.05), and itch scores improved at week 8 ( p <?0.05). Oral microbial ? - and ? -diversity shifted significantly after treatment ( p <?0.05), with clear changes in community structure and taxa; smokers exhibited more pronounced restructuring. Cytokine levels changed concordantly, with IL-1?, IL-4, and IFN- ? decreasing and IFN- ? increasing after treatment (all p <?0.05).
QCF treatment was associated with significant clinical improvement accompanied by oral microbiota remodeling and modulation of inflammatory cytokines. These findings support a potential microbiome-immune axis in PPP and warrant further controlled studies.
http://www.itmctr.org , ITMCTR2025001530.
Introduction:
Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis with limited therapeutic options. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulations may benefit PPP, yet microbiome-immune mechanisms underlying clinical response remain unclear.
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