title: Inhibitory effect of the repeated treatment with Unsei-in on substance P-induced itch-associated responses through the downregulation of the expression of NK(1) tachykinin receptor in mice.
abstract: Unsei-in, a traditional medicine, is prescribed against pruritic cutaneous diseases, but the mechanisms of antipruritic action are still unknown. In the present study, we examined the antipruritic effects of Unsei-in in mice. Single administration of Unsei-in did not inhibit substance P-induced itch-associated response (scratching) in mice. However, repeated treatment with Unsei-in for 7 d significantly inhibited substance P-induced scratching. The same repeated treatment with Unsei-in suppressed the expression of NK(1) tachykinin receptors in the skin. These results suggest that Unsei-in inhibits substance P-associated itching and that the inhibition is at least partly due to the suppression of the expression of NK(1) tachykinin receptors in the skin.
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: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Honma
authors.forename: Soichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kawaharada
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Akeel
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nojima
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kuraishi
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000982:Antipruritics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013373:Substance P / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000982:Antipruritics; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1; C103279:unsei in; D013373:Substance P