Ivermectin inhibits acute chloroquine-induced scratching behavior by targeting p-NF-kB p65 and iNOS in mice

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

2 Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress (NUCOX) and Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), University of Balearic Islands-IUNICS, Palma de Mallorca E-07122, Balearic Islands, Spain

3 CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain

10.30476/tips.2025.108187.1311

Abstract

Pruritus, or itching, is one of the most common skin complaints. The intensity of the itching is sometimes so uncomfortable and irritating that the patient injures himself by repeatedly scratching. Skin damage, inflammation through diverse chemical mediators, and pruritogens are among the agents capable of causing pruritus in the skin. Ivermectin (IVM), a broad-spectrum anti-parasitic agent, has also been evidenced to improve pruritus without histamine mediation. This study aimed to assess the ability of IVM to improve pruritus and histopathology alterations induced by chloroquine (CQ) in a mouse model. Thirty rats were divided into 5 groups of 6, including control group, CQ group, and IVM group (3 doses). IVM (1, 2, and 5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)) was injected 3 hours before CQ injection (200 μg/site, subcutaneously). Scratching behavior was recorded for 30 minutes after the CQ injection. The result showed that IVM (5 mg/kg) significantly reduced itching bouts and duration in the CQ group. In addition, Immunohistological analysis of the skin also showed that CQ significantly increased the expression of p-NF-kB p65, and iNOS, and these alterations were normalized in the IVM (5 mg/kg) groups. acute treatment with IVM reduces CQ-induced itching by ameliorating the inflammatory process. 

Highlights

Tayebeh Noori (Google Scholar)

Samira Shirooie (Google Scholar)

Keywords

References

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Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies
Volume 11, Issue 3
September 2025
Pages 253-262

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