Effect of cinnarizine on IgE antibody mediated allergic reaction in mice and rats

The effect of cinnarizine on immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody mediated allergic reactions in mice and rats was investigated. Nifedipine and tranilast were used as comparative drugs. The dye leakage caused by IgE antibody mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in mouse ear was clearly inhibited by cinnarizine administered both orally and intraperitoneally. The inhibitory action of cinnarizine for PCA was as potent as nifedipine and superior to tranilast. Cinnarizine clearly inhibited the increase in capillary permeability caused by histamine and calcium ionophore A 23187 (A 23187) but not by LTD4 in mouse ear. Nifedipine inhibited the increases of capillary permeability caused by A 23187, histamine and LTD4. Tranilast inhibited A 23187 induced vasculitis but not histamine or LTD4-induced reaction. Cinnarizine had no significant effect on the release of histamine caused by antigen or A 23187 from rat peritoneal mast cells. Nifedipine and tranilast inhibited the release of histamine caused by both antigen and A 23187 from rat peritoneal mast cells.