title: Antipruritic effects of 1,4-naphthoquinones and related compounds.
abstract: The antipruritic effects of orally administered 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives and related compounds on compound 48/80-induced scratching behavior in mice were studied. 2-Hydroxy-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone, ferulic acid, 2,2'-methylenebis(3-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), and 2,2'-ethylidenebis(3-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) (impatienol) all exhibited significant antipruritic activity. However, 2-methoxy-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone (balsaquinone), which was isolated from a natural source for the first time, did not show any activity. The present results indicate that these compounds are promising for treating allergic diseases with chronic and severe pruritus.
authors.affiliation: Mukogawa Women's University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nishinomiya, Japan.
authors.forename: Hisae
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oku
authors.forename: Toyonari
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Kyoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ishiguro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000982:Antipruritics; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009285:Naphthoquinones / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine
chemical_list: D000982:Antipruritics; D009285:Naphthoquinones; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine