Dihydroavenanthramide D inhibits mast cell degranulation and exhibits anti-inflammatory effects through the activation of neurokinin-1 receptor.

Chronic pruritus is difficult to treat. Current treatment options are frequently ineffective and new therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. Avenanthramides are active substances in oats that exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. Their potential to interrupt pruritus mechanisms was investigated in this study. It was found that the synthetic analog dihydroavenanthramide D (DHAvD) can interact with the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) and inhibit mast cell degranulation. DHAvD also affects inflammatory processes and reduces secretion of the cytokine interleukin-6. Our findings indicate that DHAvD may act as a NK1R inhibitor and could be a promising candidate for topical treatments of chronic pruritus.