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

## TL;DR

This study shows that 2,3-dehydrosilybin may help reduce itching by suppressing inflammatory responses in brain cells and mice.

## Contribution

The novel finding is that DHS inhibits pruritus-related pathways in glial cells and reduces scratching in mice.

## Key findings

- DHS suppresses IL-31 and IL-6 in LPS-treated microglia.
- DHS inhibits MAPKs and STAT3 activation in glial cells.
- DHS reduces scratching and GFAP expression in chloroquine-treated mice.

## Abstract

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.