ANTAGONISTIC EFFECT OF OLEANOLIC ACID ON ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK

AIM: To study the antagonistic effect of oleanolic acid (OA) on anaphy lactic shock in guinea-pigs sensitized with 6-aminopenicillanic acid ( APA)-protein. METHODS: The anaphylactic shock was achieved by ip of AP A-protein in guinea pigs. The serum antibody titers of guinea pigs wer e measured with the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test, and the pulmon ary histamine by the method of fluorometric determination. The degranu lation of mast cells was examined by rat calvarian periosteum method. RESULTS: In guinea pigs sensitized with APA-protein, OA 25, 50, 100 mg . kg(-1) reduced anaphylactic shock rates from 100 % (sensitized cont rol group) to 70 %, 18 %, and 15 % (OA pretreated group), and death ra tes from 100 % to 70 %, 18 %, and 0 %, respectively. OA had an inhibit ory effect on the antibody formation and reduced the histamine content s in the lung tissues in the sensitized guinea pigs. In addition, the homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in guinea pigs and the degran ulation of mast cells of calvarial periosteum in rats were prevented b y OA 25, 50, and 100 mg . kg(-1). CONCLUSION: The antagonistic effect of OA on anaphylactic shock was related to the inhibition of antibody formation and the reduction of histamine contents.