1Department of Microbiology, Nims Institute of Allied Medical Science and Technology, Nims University (Jaipur, Rajasthan), India 303121. Email: shatakshi202@gmail.com
2Department of Biotechnology, Nims Institute of Allied Medical Science and Technology, Nims University (Jaipur, Rajasthan), India 303121. Email: vivek.pratap@nimsuniversity.org
Background: The skin condition atopic dermatitis, also known as chronic eczema, presents a long-term inflammatory skin disease which results from immune system problems and T-cell abnormalities and cytokine disturbances and skin damage and oxidative stress. The current treatment methods using corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents help patients with symptoms, but these medications cause negative side effects when patients need to use them for extended periods so researchers seek alternative treatments which are both safe and affect multiple disease targets.
Objective: The research examined how Datura metel leaf ethanolic extract and Tephrosia purpurea root ethanolic extract affect immune system function in rats which developed chronic eczema following DNCB exposure.
Methods: The study used male albino rats which received five different treatment groups (n = 6/group) that included normal control and three experimental groups: DNCB-induced untreated and single-extract treated (Datura metel or Tephrosia purpurea) and combined treatment. The researchers administered oral extracts to subjects for 28 days through two different dose levels which used 10 mg/kg/day Dhatura metel and 200 mg/kg/day Tephrosia purpurea at a 1:20 ratio. The study performed Immunological assessment through three tests which measured T-cell proliferation after Concanavalin-A stimulation and T-cell ratio between CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells and measured IL-4 and IL-13 and IL-17 cytokines in blood serum and evaluated oxidative stress and performed histopathological examination.
Results: The DNCB induction process resulted in increased T-cell proliferation and higher Th2 cytokine production but it decreased IL-17 levels. The combined extract treatment approach successfully decreased T-cell proliferation while it brought back normal CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratios and it decreased IL-4 and IL-13 levels while it restored IL-17 production and it decreased lipid peroxidation while it boosted antioxidant defenses and it fixed epidermal structure without causing any adverse effects.
Conclusion: The research shows that Dhatura metel and Tephrosia purpurea therapy work together to create enhanced immunomodulatory effects which help T-cells achieve balance and maintain proper cytokine levels and skin health. The research establishes the first experimental proof which supports using multiple plant-based treatments to control chronic eczema over an extended period.
Keywords: Eczema, DNCB, Immunomodulators, T-cell activity, Cytokine, Dhatura metel, Tephrosia purpurea, Alkaloids.
How to cite this article: Kumari S, Singh VP. Synergistic Immunomodulatory Effects of Dhatura Metel (Datura) and Tephrosia Purpurea in DNCB-Induced Chronic Eczema. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(1): 1-7. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.1.1
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None