The levels of cortisol increased in our patients after achieving PASI 75 response, which shows the important role of low cortisol levels in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. In other words, selleck chemicals low cortisol levels predispose patients with psoriasis to exacerbations by psychoemotional stress. Alterations in the activity of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis might play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis [10, 14]. In addition, the effect of cortisol on the balance of T-helper type 1 (TH1) and type 2 (TH2) lymphocytes provides evidence for the role of this hormone in the pathogenesis of this disease by dysregulation of the TH1/TH2 balance [21, 22]. The immunomodulatory effects of cortisol in pathogenesis of psoriasis are highlighted by the fact that the earliest immunologic event in new psoriasis lesions is accumulation of CD4+ and CD8+ T-helper lymphocyte and extravasation of T-helper lymphocytes [23].

One limitation to our study was that we could not measure the level of stress in each patient; however, this variable was randomly distributed among our participants and none of them was under obvious stress at the time of hormonal measurement. In addition, patients with psoriasis frequently experience exacerbation and remission and are on treatment regimens most of the time; hence, finding patients who were not on therapeutic regimens and new cases of psoriasis was a big challenge and the reason for a smaller sample size. We focused on serum levels of PRL and other hormones; however, future studies might measure these hormonal levels in the skin and evaluate the expression of their receptors simultaneously.

In conclusion, we found no correlation between hormones levels and the severity of psoriasis. Furthermore, according to our results, the only hormone that increases in psoriasis is PRL in male patients, which returns to the same level as healthy controls after treatment.Conflict of InterestsThe authors have no conflict of interests to declare.FundingThe study was conducted by the fund provided by Skin Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences.AcknowledgmentThe authors wish to add that this paper is the result of a dermatology specialty thesis in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences.
Cancer is a leading cause of life-threatening disease with limited efficient therapies [1].

Considering the significant levels of toxicity and drug Anacetrapib resistance of current anticancer regimens, the challenge to develop highly effective drugs with little or no side effects is crucial. Exploring the anticancer ability of novel compounds including plant derivatives provides a wealthy source of novel and potent bioactive compounds with minimal side effects. Artemisia is a promising natural source of phytochemicals with potent antimalarial and anticancer properties [2�C7].