Antipruritic effects of the fruits of Chaenomeles sinensis

Biol Pharm Bull. 2003 Jul;26(7):1031-4. doi: 10.1248/bpb.26.1031.

Abstract

A 35% EtOH extract of the fruits of Chaenomeles sinensis, long utilized as a folk medicine for cough, significantly inhibited the pruritogenic agent compound 48/80 (COM)-induced scratching behavior in mice. Antipruritic activity-guided fractionation and purification yielded active quercetin, apigenin, and catechin derivatives, which exhibited significant inhibitory effects on COM-induced scratching behavior. To the best of our knowledge, apigenin (5), apigenin 7-glucronide (6), and apigenin 4'-methoxy-7-glucronide (acacetin 7-glucronide) (7) were isolated from the fruits of C. sinensis for the first time. The active fraction and these compounds also inhibited serotonin-, platelet activating factor-, and prostaglandin E(2)-induced scratching behavior, but did not inhibit histamine-induced scratching behavior or locomotive behavior. This study also showed that the fruits of C. sinensis could be used to treat allergic itching sensation.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antipruritics / chemistry
  • Antipruritics / pharmacology
  • Antipruritics / therapeutic use*
  • Fruit*
  • Locomotion / drug effects
  • Locomotion / physiology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Phytotherapy / methods
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Pruritus / chemically induced
  • Pruritus / drug therapy*
  • Rosaceae*

Substances

  • Antipruritics
  • Plant Extracts