Abstract:
A method for inducing itch and a method for screening an itch inhibiting material using glucosylsphingosine are provided to be useful for studying and understanding the itch, thereby being very usefully used for developing a therapeutic agent for the itch and evaluating the effect of a medicine. A method for inducing itch comprises a step of administering at least one compound selected from the group consisting of glucosylsphingosine and a derivative thereof into an animal except human. A method for screening an itch inhibiting material comprises the steps of: (a) administering an itch inhibition candidate material to an animal where the itch is induced by administering at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the glucosylsphingosine and the derivative thereof; and (b) counting a number when the animal scratches. A method for evaluating the itch inhibition effect comprises the steps of: (a) administering an itch inhibition material to an animal where the itch is induced by administering at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the glucosylsphingosine and the derivative thereof; and (b) counting a number when the animal scratches. A composition for inducing itch comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the glucosylsphingosine and the derivative thereof as an effective ingredient.