AIM:To investigate the effects of luteolin on dry skin
pruritus in mice.METHOD:Prepare the dry skin prurtius model in ICR
mice with cutaneous application of acetone/diethylether(1∶1) and luteolin was locally painted on the treated place(2,20,100 μg/site). Spontaneous
scratching times were counted for 45 minutes,and the PGE_2 content in the treated place was measured after scratching observation.We still investigated the effects of luteolin on the degranulation of mast cells induced by compound 48/80(50 μg/ml)in vitro.RESULT:Luteolin significantly inhibited the times of scratching behavior associated with dry skin
pruritus,decreased the level of PGE_2 located in the treated skin and blocked the degranulation of mast cells evoked by compound 48/80 in vitro. Meanwhile,histological examination demonstrated that luteolin can reduce the infiltration of lymphocytes and inflammatory cells and ameliorate the histopathological changes in the dermis.CONCLUTION:Luteolin can reduce the spontaneous scratching behavior associated with dry skin pruritus in mice and its effects against pruritus are maybe contributed to its inhibition on mast cell activation and anti-inflammatory activities.