Astragaloside IV, a saponin isolated from Astragalus membranaceus, has been investigated in preclinical studies for its potential to ameliorate psoriasis. The rationale for its use is largely based on its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Several in vitro and animal studies have shown that Astragaloside IV can inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-17, and IL-23, which are key mediators in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. For example, a 2020 study using an imiquimod-induced mouse model of psoriasis demonstrated that Astragaloside IV treatment reduced epidermal hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration, possibly by suppressing the STAT3 signaling pathway.

However, there is a lack of high-quality clinical trials in humans directly assessing the efficacy of Astragaloside IV for psoriasis. Most of the available evidence comes from animal models and cell culture experiments. While these findings are promising, they do not yet provide robust clinical validation. Thus, while there is a scientific rationale for its use and some preclinical evidence, the overall quality and quantity of supporting evidence are limited at this time. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm whether Astragaloside IV is effective and safe for treating psoriasis in humans.