Hypericin as a Photodynamic Immunomodulator: A Natural Compound for Dermatological Therapy

Huike Ma,* Xiawei Zhang,* Ruonan Li,* Baoquan Qu, Yuchen Liu, Yunran Cui, Tianlu Zhang, Jingxia Zhao Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100010, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jingxia Zhao, Email zhaojingxia@bjzhongyi.comAbstract: Hypericin, a polycyclic quinone derived from *Hypericum perforatum* (St. John’s Wort), has gained attention for its broad pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antitumor effects. It modulates key signaling pathways like NF-κB and MAPK, reducing chronic inflammation and making it effective in treating autoimmune and infectious skin conditions. As a photosensitizer, hypericin also induces apoptosis in abnormal cells through photodynamic therapy (PDT), showing promising results in treating cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), psoriasis, and fungal infections. While its solubility and bioavailability remain challenges, hypericin’s favorable safety profile and therapeutic potential position it as a valuable option for managing refractory dermatological conditions.Keywords: hypericin, anti-inflammatory, PDT, ROS, psoriasis, CTCL