Daturataturin A, a withanolide in Datura metel L., induces HaCaT autophagy through the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway.

Daturataturin A (DTA), a withanolide compound in Datura metel L., exhibits excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities. Here, we report the study of DTA-induced proliferation and inflammation in human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaTs) and the associated molecular mechanisms. HaCaTs are a model of the epidermal proliferative state of cells. The pharmacodynamics and mechanism of DTA were studied by western blot, immunofluorescence, apoptosis and proliferation detection, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We confirmed that DTA induced HaCaT autophagy, which, in turn, induced HaCaT senescence and, ultimately, led to cell cycle arrest. DTA also negatively regulated inflammation through the activation of autophagy. This may be one of the mechanisms underlying the action of Datura metel L. preparation used for the treatment of psoriasis.