EFFECT OF REHMANNIA-GLUTINOSA ON IMMEDIATE-TYPE ALLERGIC REACTION

We investigated the effect of aqueous extract of Rehmannia glutinosa s teamed root (RGAE) on the allergic reactions in vivo and in vitro. RGA E dose-dependently inhibited systemic allergic reaction induced by com pound 48/80. When RGAE was pre-treated at the same concentrations with systemic allergic reaction test, the plasma histamine levels were red uced in a dose-dependent manner. RGAE dose-dependently inhibited skin allergic reaction activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE. RGAE also dose-dependently inhibited the histamine release from the rat periton eal mast cells (RPMC) by compound 48/80 or anti-DNP IgE. Moreover, RGA E had significant inhibitory effect on anti-DNP IgE-induced tumor necr osis factor-alpha production of RPMC. These results indicate that RGAE may be beneficial in the regulation of immediate type allergic reacti on. (C) 1998 International Society for Immunopharmacology. Published b y Elsevier Science Ltd.