Novel findings in inhibition of mast cell-dependent immediate-type cutaneous reactions by Gahmi-Shini-San

This report describes an inhibitory effect of Gahmi-Shini-San (GSS) on mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions. GSS is an Oriental herbal medication, which has been successfully used in Korea for the treatment of allergic disorders, mainly skin anaphylactic diseases. GSS inhibited the e ar swelling response induced by intradermal injection of compound 48/80 in a mouse model on a concentration-dependent basis. The mast cells in mouse e ar tissue were stained by alcian blue/nuclear fast led. GSS significantly i nhibited the compound 48/80-induced degranulation from mast cells in ear ti ssue. GSS dose-dependently inhibited the histamine release from the rat per itoneal mast cells by compound 48/80. We also studied the effect of GSS on mast cell-dependent passive cutaneous anaphylaxis activated by dinitropheny l IgE antibody. GSS showed inhibition of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis foll owing oral administration. These results indicated that GSS has inhibitory effect on mast cell-dependent immediate type cutaneous reactions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.