The Antipruritic Effect of 2,6-bis-(4-hydroxy-3 methoxybenylidene)-cyclohexanone (BHMC) in a Mouse Model of Induced Pruritus
10.47836/mjmhs.v22i1.1424
- Author:
Ahmad Akira
1
;
Fu Cheng Shu
1
;
Ming Tatt Lee
2
;
Daud Ahmad Israf
1
;
Chau Ling Tham
3
;
Yu-Cheng Ho
4
;
Mohd Roslan Sulaiman
1
Author Information
1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, 43400 UPM Serdang, Malaysia.
2. Office of Postgraduate Studies, UCSI University, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; College of Health Sciences, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan, Taiwan.
3. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, 43400 UPM Serdang, Malaysia; Natural Medicine and Product Research Laboratory (NaturMeds), Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, 43400 UPM Serdang, Malaysia.
4. School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, 82445, Taiwan.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Itch;
Curcuminoid analogue;
Mast cell degranulation;
Histamine;
Good health and wellbeing
- From:
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2026;22(No. 1):1-9
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Itch, an uncomfortable sensation leading to the urge to scratch, is often inadequately managed by conventional antihistamine drugs, which can be ineffective in certain pruritic conditions and cause undesirable side effects. Therefore, there is a need to identify new pharmacologically potent antipruritic compounds with fewer side effects. A synthetic curcuminoid analogue, 2,6-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-cyclohexanone (BHMC), a derivative of curcumin - a bioactive compound found in turmeric - has demonstrated various pharmacological ac-tivities. Previous studies have shown that BHMC possesses antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the antipruritic effects of BHMC in mice models of induced pruritus. Materials and Meth-ods: The pruritus in mice was induced using compound 48/80, substance P, histamine, and serotonin to establish an itch-induced mouse model. BHMC was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) at doses of 0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 mg/kg. Results: BHMC significantly reduced pruriceptive responses in all models tested and notably inhibited compound 48/80 and substance P-induced mast cell degranulation in skin tissues. Conclusions: These findings suggest that BHMC inhibits pruriceptive responses in mice, likely through the inhibition of mast cell degranulation and/or direct antagonism of peripheral histamine and serotonin receptors. This may warrant further exploration of the antipruritic effect of BHMC in clinical trials for the betterment of animal and human health.
- Full text:20260625164021814972+1721+JAN (1).pdf