4) Antimalarial treatments

Treatment for psoriatic arthritis may also include antimalarial medications, which suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation.

The mechanism of action of antimalarials is to inhibit the enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, which is responsible for the production of pyrimidine, a key component of DNA. This prevents the cell from entering the S-phase of its cycle, thus inhibiting the production of new DNA and halting the excessive production of skin cells seen in psoriasis.

In addition, antimalarials also reduce inflammation by blocking the production of proinflammatory cytokines, which are responsible for the tissue damage seen in inflammatory conditions.