Comprehensive Phytochemical Profiling of Polyherbal Divya-Kayakalp-Vati and Divya-Kayakalp-Oil and Their Combined Efficacy in Mouse Model of Atopic Dermatitis-Like Inflammation Through Regulation of Cytokines

PURPOSE: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease that varies in signs and symptoms in different individuals. General symptoms include dryness of the skin, itching, and development of red to brownish-gray patches. Divya-Kayakalp-Vati (DKV) and -Oil (DKO) are Indian polyherbal compositions prescribed for treating inflammatory skin diseases. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory efficacy of DKV and DKO co-treatment (DKV-O) in ameliorating Oxazolone (OXA)-stimulated AD-like inflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokine release in a Swiss albino mouse model. METHODS: Phytochemical profiling of the DKV and DKO were done using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (LC-MS) QToF. Swiss albino mice were sensitized for 7 days and treated with OXA in their ear region. Stimulated and control animals were orally treated with DKV and topically with DKO. Anti-inflammatory efficacy of DKV-O was determined in OXA-treated animals through physiological, histopathological, and biochemical parameter analysis. RESULTS: DKV and DKO formulations individually contained 39 and 59 phytochemicals, respectively. Many of the phytochemicals have been reported to have anti-inflammatory activities. In the OXA-sensitized Swiss albino mice, combined treatment with DKV-O, and separately with Dexamethasone (positive control) significantly reduced the OXA-stimulated ear edema, biopsy weight, and epidermal thickness. DKV-O further reduced OXA-stimulated induction of inflammatory lesions, neutrophil influx, and release of Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and myeloperoxidase. CONCLUSION: Finally, DKV-O co-treatment showed good pharmacological effects in ameliorating AD-like inflammation through the modulation of inflammatory cell influx and release of soluble mediators. Therefore, DKV-O treatment can be used as a suitable polyherbal therapeutic against AD-like inflammatory diseases.