ABSTRACT
This study aimed to explore the mechanism of volatile oil from purslane in treating itch induced by eczema through establishing the itch model,stimulating the keratinocyte with capsaicine (CAP).SD rats were divided into the control group,the model group,the high dose group of volatile oil from purslane,and low dose group of volatile oil from purslane.After finishing the experiment,the morphology of keratinocytes was observed by immunofluorescence technique,while Ca2+ concentration was detected by flow cytometry,and the contents of leukotriene A4 methyl ester (LTA4),interleukin-31 (IL-31) and hydroxy trptamine H1 (HTH1) were quantified by ELISA assay.The expression of TRPV1 mRNA in keratinocytes was tested by RT-PCR,while the protein level of TRPV1 was quantified by western blot.Compared with the model group,it was found that the cell count of positive keratinocytes,the Ca2+ concentration,the levels of LTA4,IL-31 and HTH1,and the mRNA and protein expressions of TRPV1 in the high dose and low dose groups were significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05).In conclusion,it was demonstrated that the volatile oil from purslane may relieve itch through inhibiting the activation of TRPV1 and reducing secondary inflammatory reaction.