title: Inhibitory effects of azelastine on substance P-induced itch-associated response in mice.
abstract: The anti-pruritic mechanisms of azelastine were studied in mice. Scratching induced by intradermal histamine was inhibited by azelastine (30 mg/kg) and chlorpheniramine (30 mg/kg). Substance P-induced scratching was dose dependently suppressed by azelastine (3-30 mg/kg), but not by chlorpheniramine (10 and 30 mg/kg). Azelastine (30 mg/kg) inhibited the substance P-induced production of leukotriene B4, but not prostaglandin E2, in the skin. Azelastine (3-30 mg/kg) suppressed scratching induced by intradermal injection of leukotriene B4. The results suggest that inhibition of the production and action of leukotriene B4, as well as an anti-histamine action, is involved in the anti-pruritic action of azelastine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsugunobu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Andoh
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kuraishi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006632:Histamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D007975:Leukotriene B4 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010793:Phthalazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013373:Substance P / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D010793:Phthalazines; D007975:Leukotriene B4; D013373:Substance P; D006632:Histamine; D015232:Dinoprostone; D002118:Calcium; C020976:azelastine