title: Antipruritic effect of ginsenoside rb1 and compound k in scratching behavior mouse models.
abstract: The antipruritic and vascular permeability-inhibitory effects of ginsenoside Rb1, a main component of ginseng frequently used as a traditional medicine in Asian countries, and its metabolite compound K by intestinal microflora were investigated in scratching behavior animal models induced by compound 48/80, substance P, and histamine. Ginsenoside Rb1 and compound K orally administered 1 and 6 h before the treatment of compound 48/80 showed antipruritic effect. These ginsenosides administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg 6 h before the treatment of compound 48/80 inhibited scratching behaviors by 51% and 64%, respectively, compared with that of the control. These ginsenosides also inhibited the vascular permeability of skin. Compound K intraperitoneally administered 1 h before the treatment of compound 48/80 potently inhibited the scratching behaviors induced by compound 48/80. However, intraperitoneally administered ginsenoside Rb1 did not inhibit scratching behaviors. Compound K inhibited compound 48/80-, substance P-, and histamine-induced scratching behaviors, with 50% inhibitory doses of 4.2, 5.9, and 3.8 mg/kg, respectively, and vascular permeability, with 50% inhibitory doses of 5.8, 6.8, and 4.1 mg/kg, respectively. These results suggest that ginsenoside Rb1 and its metabolite compound K by intestinal microflora can improve scratching behaviors.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Wook
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Dong-Hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000982:Antipruritics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006632:Histamine; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010793:Phthalazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013373:Substance P; D013997:Time Factors; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine
chemical_list: D000982:Antipruritics; D036145:Ginsenosides; D006632:Histamine; D010793:Phthalazines; D013373:Substance P; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine; C442759:ginsenoside Rb1; C112772:ginsenoside compound K; C020976:azelastine