Effect of Vitex rotundifolia on immediate-type allergic reaction

We investigated the effect of aqueous extract of Vitex rotundifolia (L.) (V erbenaceae) fruits (VRFE) on the immediate-type allergic reactions in vivo and in vitro. VRFE (10(-4)-1.0 g/kg) dose-dependently inhibited systemic al lergic reaction induced by compound 48/80. When VRFE was employed in a syst emic allergic reaction test, the plasma histamine levels were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. VRFE (5 x 10(-1) and 1.0 g/kg) inhibited passive cut aneous anaphylaxis activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE. VRFE (10(-3)- 1.0 mg/ml) also dose-dependently inhibited the histamine release from the r at peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) by compound 48/80 or anti-DNP IgE. Moreover , VRFE (10(-3) mg/ml) had a significant inhibitory effect on anti-DNP IgE-i nduced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production from RPMC. These results sugg est that VRFE may be beneficial in the regulation of immediate-type allergi c reaction. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.