Hydrogen Gel Shows Promise for Treating Psoriasis in Mouse Study
- Authors
- Lanmei Lin, Qingqing Guan, Zhiguang Ding, Jianxin Zou, Canbin Dong, Xinyi Zhu, Weijian Fan, Han Li, Jinhua Xu, Jinyun Tan, Wenjiang Ding, Jia Pei, Juan Du
- Journal
- Bioactive Materials
- Year
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.018
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Psoriasis
- Body System
- Integumentary
TL;DR
A magnesium hydride microbubble hydrogel provided sustained topical hydrogen release and improved psoriasis-like skin pathology in preclinical models by reducing keratinocyte hyperproliferation, restoring redox balance, and modulating PKM2-linked energy metabolism.
Key Finding
A hydrogen-releasing hydrogel patch reduced psoriasis-like skin symptoms in mice more effectively than the standard drug Calcipotriol and an immune-stimulating comparison treatment.
Summary
Researchers developed a gel patch containing magnesium hydride nanoparticles that slowly releases hydrogen gas when applied to skin. In mouse studies of psoriasis (a chronic skin condition causing thick, inflamed patches), this hydrogen-releasing patch reduced skin thickening and inflammation better than two comparison treatments. The researchers found that hydrogen appears to work by slowing down the rapid multiplication of skin cells and reducing inflammatory signals in the body.
Practical Takeaway
This early-stage research in mice suggests hydrogen gas delivery to skin may help manage psoriasis by targeting the underlying metabolic and inflammatory processes. However, this is a mouse study only, and human trials would be needed before any conclusions about safety or effectiveness in people could be drawn. The work is still in the proof-of-concept phase and far from clinical application.
Abstract
Psoriasis represents a globally prevalent and chronic dermatological disorder, characterized by persistent hyperkeratosis, self-sustaining inflammatory cycles, and frequent relapse, posing substantial challenges for conventional therapies of compromised efficacy and biosafety. Here, we introduce a transformative strategy of hydrogen-mediated topical psoriasis therapy based on the construction of an in-situ formed, microbubble hydrogel that facilitates significant H2 generation and subsequently prolonged delivery. By fabricating and incorporating MgH2 nanoparticles into an amphiphilic, thermosensitive hydrogel via self-assembly in saline, the hydrogen evolution reaction, generated microbubble morphology and storage can be well controlled, reaching optimized H2 release profile at saturated concentration (∼0.8 mM) over days. We demonstrate marked alleviation of psoriasis-like pathologies with this local hydrogen treatment in vitro and in vivo, revealing superior efficacy compared to both Imiquimod-induced mice model and clinical Calcipotriol drug. Mechanistically, we disclose continuous hydrogenation directly suppresses psoriatic keratinocyte hyperproliferation via anti-Warburg effect and energy metabolic reprogramming through the PKM2-mediated pathway, and meanwhile coordinating redox homeostasis restoration which further disrupts the inflammation-immune feedback loop. We also identify the potency of this H2-regulated energy metabolism strategy in preventing psoriasis recurrence. Collectively, this work delivers a proof-of-concept of hydrogen-mediated psoriasis energy therapy (HPET) with translatable promise for potentiating long-term management.