STUDIES ON KOCHIAE FRUCTUS .4. ANTIALLERGIC EFFECTS OF 70-PERCENT ETHANOL EXTRACT AND ITS COMPONENT, MOMORDIN IC FROM DRIED FRUITS OF KOCHIA-SCOPARIA L

The 70% ethanol extract (KS-est) from Kochiae Fructus (dried fruits of Kochia scoparia L.) has been screened for activity in experimental mo dels of type I-IV allergy. In type I allergic models, KS-ext at doses of 200 and 500 mg/kg, p.o. exhibited an inhibitory effect on 48-h homo logous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in rats, which is related t o IgE, and 1.5-h heterologous PCA in mice, which is related to IgG. In a type III allergic model, KS-est showed an inhibitory effect on dire ct passive arthus reaction (DPAR) in rats, while it had no inhibitory effect on reversed cutaneous anaphylaxis (RCA) in a type Il allergic m odel. Furthermore, in a type TV allergic model, KS-est had an inhibito ry effect on the effector phase in picryl chloride-induced contact der matitis (PC-CD). Also, its anti-pruritogenic component, momordin Tc (o leanane saponin) exhibited inhibitory effects on 48-h homologous PCA a nd PC-CD. These results indicate that Kochiae Fructus not only inhibit s humoral immunity but also influences cellular immunity, and should b e recognized as a material for anti-allergic reactions. Also, the mode of its anti-pruritogenic activity may be mediated by anti-allergic ac tion, and its active component may be partially attributed to momordin Ic.