ANTIALLERGIC ANTIASTHMATIC ACTIVITY OF OLIGOPEPTIDE RELATED TO IGE/

In spite of continuous research in the field of bronchial asthma, stil l no satisfactory drug is available. Recently a new class of oligopept ide exhibited antiallergic activity by inhibiting the synthesis of IgE antibody. The analogue of ADSDGK (94-335) has shown antiallergic acti vity in experimental models. The 94-335 inhibited the passive cutaneou s anaphylaxis (PCA) reactions in rats in a dose-dependent manner (0.5- 10 mg kg(-1 )p.o.) by 47-90%. There was a 70-87% protection of mast ce ll degranulation induced by compound 48/80 with peptide 94-335 at 0.5- 1.5 mg kg(-1) p.o. in rats. This peptide also inhibited antigen-induce d contraction in sensitised guinea pig ileum. There was 18 and 72% pro tection to bronchoconstriction induced by histamine and egg albumin, r espectively, in an aerosol test in guinea pigs. These effects of compo und 94-335 were comparable with that of the clinically-used antiallerg ic drug disodium cromoglycate (DSCG). The results suggest that peptide 94-335 possesses potent antiallergic activity. (C) 1998 The Italian P harmacological Society.