Anti-type I allergic mechanisms of mao-bushi-saishin-to in mice

We investigated the anti-allergic effect of mao-bushi-saishin-to (MBS) on t he type I allergy model in mice. When MBS was administered orally at a dose of 0.5 or 1.0 g/kg, edema of the footpad, the amount of plasma IgE and the ratio of eosinophilic leukocytes in peritoneal exudate cells were all dose -relatedly suppressed. Moreover to investigate the anti-type I allergic mec hanisms of MBS, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to determin e the interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and interferon (IFN)-gamma production from s plenocytes that were stimulated by pokeweed mitogen for 48 h. In addition, we assayed IgE production from splenic B cells stimulated with the lipopoly saccharide and IL-4 for 7 days. MBS inhibited the IL-4 and IFN-gamma produc tion, but IL-5 and IgE production were not affected. Thus possibly, the inh ibition of IL-4 production may partially be involved in the expression of t he anti-type I allergic effects of MBS.