Antipruritic effects of the fruits of Chaenomeles sinensis.

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.

• Authors: Hisae Oku, Yoshimi Ueda, Kyoko Ishiguro
• Journal: Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin (Biol Pharm Bull) Vol. 26 Issue 7 Pg. 1031-4 (Jul 2003) ISSN: 0918-6158 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 12843634 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antipruritics
• Plant Extracts

Topics

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