Experimental study on antipruritic effect of Humulus scandens extract from water

AIM:To study the antipruritic effect of Humulus scandens extract from water.METHODS:The animal models of mice skin-scratching response induced by 4-Animopridine(4-AP),mice body-scratching behavior induced by chloroquine,guinea pig partial itching reaction induced by histamine,and the right ear auricle delayed type hypersensitivity of mice induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzol(DNFB) were utilized,and the content of IL-4 in mice serum after the body-scratching behavior induced by chloroquine was determined by radio immunoassay(RIA) to observe the antipruritus effect of Humulus scandens extract from water.RESULTS:100,30 mg/kg of Humulus scandens extract from water inhibited mice scratching duration induced by 4-AP and chloroquine remarkably;100 mg/kg of Humulus scandens extract from water decreased scratching frequency induced by 4-AP and chloroquine,and reduced the content of IL-4 in mice serum after the body-scratching behavior induced by chloroquine significantly;25,7.5 mg/kg of Humulus scandens extract from water improved itch threshold of guinea pig obviously;100,30 mg/kg of Humulus scandens extract from water depressed the right ear auricle of mice swelling induced by DNFB markably.CONCLUSION:Humulus scandens extract from water possesses antipruritic effect,which may be attributed to the action of suppressing release of histamine and IL-4.