Abstract: AIM:To study the antipruritic effect of Humulus scandens extract from water. METHODS: The animal models of mice skin-scratching response induced by 4-Animopridine(4-AP), mice body-scratching behavior induced by chloroquine, guinea pig partial itching reaction induced by histamine, and the right ear auricle delayed type hypersensitivity of mice induced by 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzol(DNFB) were utilized, and the content of IL-4 in mice serum after the body-scratching behavior induced by chloroquine was determined by radio immunoassay (RIA) to observe the antipruritus effect of Humulus scandens extract from water. RESULTS: 100, 30 mg/kg of Humulus scandens extract from water inhibited mice scratching duration induced by 4-AP and chloroquine remarkably; 100 mg/kg of Humulus scandens extract from water decreased scratching frequency induced by 4-AP and chloroquine, and reduced the content of IL-4 in mice serum after the body-scratching behavior induced by chloroquine significantly; 25, 7. 5 mg/kg of Humulus scandens extract from water improved itch threshold of guinea pig obviously; 100, 30 mg/kg of Humulus scandens extract from water depressed the right ear auricle of mice swelling induced by DNFB markably. CONCLUSION: Humulus scandens extract from water possesses antipruritic effect,which may be attributed to the action of suppressing release of histamine and IL-4.

Key words: Humulus scandens extract from water, antipruritic effect, model, animal