Furthermore, C-phycocyanin modulated the mRNA expression and the level of inflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor-α TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL1b, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2) in a female BALB/C-nu mouse model and inhibited psoriasis-related cytokines (interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-17a, calcitonin gene-related peptide CGRP) in female BALB/c mice, which resulted in a reduced degree of redness and scaling. The gene discussed is IL17A; the disease is psoriasis.