[Effects of cepharanthine on experimental nasal allergy]

The anti-allergic actions of cepharanthine were examined using experimental nasal allergy rats (rhinitis models). In the actively sensitized rhinitis models, leaks of pontamine sky blue (PSB) dye in the perfusate of the nasal cavity were suppressed by cepharanthine treatment. Leaks of PSB dye in the perfusate were also suppressed by ketotifen treatment. beta-Glucuronidase activity in the perfusate was lower in the cepharanthine group and in the ketotifen group. In the passively sensitized rhinitis models, leaks of PSB dye in the perfusate were suppressed by cepharanthine treatment. Leaks of PSB dye in the perfusate in the ketotifen group were also suppressed. However, beta-glucuronidase activity was not different among the three groups. Cepharanthine (0.025-25 mg/kg body weight) and ketotifen (0.1-10 mg/kg body weight) inhibited leaks of PSB into the perfusate in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that cepharanthine may be clinically effective for treating patients with nasal allergy, and its anti-allergic mechanism may be the same as that of ketotifen.