Use of curcumin in treatment of psoriasis, inflammation, skin wounds, burns, andeczemas

摘要

An improved method of treating psoriasis involves controlling the enhanced proliferation and terminal differentiation of psoriatic epidermis through the activity of epidermal phosphorylase kinase. In general, the method involves contacting psoriatic epidermal cells with a combination of substances affecting the activity of phosphorylase kinase. The combination can be: (1) a calmodulin inhibitor together with a stimulator of cAMP-dependent protein kinase II, (2) a calmodulin inhibitor together with a calcium channel blocker; (3) a stimulator of cAMP-dependent protein kinase II together with a calcium channel blocker; or (4) a calmodulin inhibitor together with a calcium channel blocker and a stimulator of cAMP-dependent protein kinase II. Alternatively, a selective phosphorylase kinase inhibitor such as curcumin can be administered, alone or with an agent such as vitamin D.sub.3 or an analogue thereof, etretinate, diltiazem, or anthralin. The invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions.