Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part D (2025)

Background: Immune dysregulation, barrier dysfunction, and interactions between the immune system and the immune system are all hallmarks of atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin condition. Key pain-perceiving sensory neurons known as nociceptors have recently been linked to the mediating and amplifying of cutaneous inflammation. This study evaluates the anti-inflammatory potential of an herbal cold cream containing Curcuma longa (turmeric) and Aloe barbadensis miller (aloe vera) in a murine model of AD induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB).
Methods: A cold cream was formulated using turmeric extract and aloe vera gel, alongside standard emulsifiers and stabilizers. DNCB was applied topically to male albino mice following SDS-mediated barrier disruption to induce atopic dermatitis. Control, DNCB-induced (untreated), DNCB + herbal cream, and DNCB + 0.1% tacrolimus ointment were the four groups of animals. For 21 days, the treatments were applied topically. Hematological parameters, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry (IL-4 and IL-13 expression) were used to evaluate efficacy.
Results: When compared to the group that received no treatment, the herbal cream significantly reduced the numbers of white blood cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The normal skin architecture had been restored, according to histological examination. The therapeutic effects of the herbal cream were comparable to tacrolimus, with no signs of irritation observed in safety testing.
Conclusion: In the DNCB-induced AD model, the turmeric-aloe vera cold cream had promising anti-inflammatory effects, indicating its potential as a natural, non-irritating treatment for inflammatory skin conditions.