EFFECTS OF SIEGESBECKIA-PUBESCENS ON IMMEDIATE HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTION

This study was carried out to examine the effect of an aqueous extract from Siegesbeckia pubescens (Compositae) (SPAE) on immunoglobulin E ( IgE)-mediated immediate hypersensitivity reaction. Forty-eight hours p assive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rats was significantly inhibited by or al administration of SPAE (100 mu g/g). It also inhibited histamine re lease from rat peritoneal mast cells induced by anti-dinitrophenyl (DN P)-IgE and DNP-human serum albumin. The data indicate that SPAE has an tiallergic activity, and that its action may be due to inhibition of h istamine release from mast cells.