Effect of ALLERGINA on mast cell-mediated allergic reactions

The herbal formulation ALLERGINA has been used against allergic inflammation disease for generations, and still occupies an important place in traditional medicine in Korea. In this study, we investigated the effect of ALLERGINA by oral administration in mast cell-mediated anaphylaxis responses. ALLERGINA dose-dependently inhibited compound 48/48-induced systemic anaphylaxis with doses of 10(-2) to 5 g/kg 1 h before orally administered. Of special note, ALLERGINA inhibited systemic anaphylaxis completely with doses of I g/kg and 5 g/kg. ALLERGINA (I g/kg) also inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis by 84%. ALLERGINA dose-dependently inhibited histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. When ALLERGINA (0.01 mg/ ml) was added, ALLERGINA inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6, 80% and 26%, respectively in anti-dinitrophenyl IgE antibody-stimulated mast cells. Our studies provide evidence that ALLERGINA may be beneficial in the treatment of allergic inflammation diseases.