Anti-allergic effects of Sanguisorba officinalis on animal models of allergic reactions

We investigated the effect of aqueous extract of Sanguisorba officinalis L.(Rosaceae) root (SOAE) on the immediate-type, allergic reactions in vivo and in vitro. SOAE (0.01 to 1g/kg) inhibited systemic allergic reaction induced by compound 48/80. When SOAE was employed in a systemic allergic reaction test, the plasma histamine levels were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. SOAE (0.001 to I g/kg) dose-dependently inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE. SOAE (0.001 to I mg/mL) also dose-dependently inhibited the histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) activated by compound 48/80 or anti-DNP IgE. The level. of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in RPMC, When SOAE was added, significantly increased compared with that of normal control. Moreover, SOAE (0.01 to I mg/mL) had a significant inhibitory effect on anti-DNP IgE-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production. These results suggest that SOAE may be beneficial in the regulation of immediate-type allergic reaction.