Antipruritic Effect of 2,3-Dehydrosilybin in Glial Cells and Chloroquine-Treated Mice

Pruritus is an inflammatory skin disorder that reduces the patient's quality of life. Meanwhile, 2,3-dehydrosilybin (DHS) belongs to a class of flavonolignans derived from milk thistle seeds, and is known to have anticancer, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and angiogenic effects. In the current study, the inhibitory effect of DHS on pruritus was investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglia, IL-31- and IL-6-treated astrocytes, and chloroquine-treated mice. DHS was shown to suppress pruritus-related cytokines IL-31 and IL-6 in LPS-treated microglia. Moreover, DHS inhibited activation of MAPKs (p38, ERK, and JNK) in LPS-stimulated microglia. Furthermore, DHS prevented activation of STAT3 and LCN-2 production in IL-31- and IL-6-treated astrocytes. In addition, DHS inhibited scratching and GFAP expression in chloroquine-treated mice. These results suggest that DHS may prevent and/or treat pruritus.