Suppression of humoral and cellular immunity in normal mice by diazepam

Diazepam, a benzodiazepine derivative useful in the treatment of anxiety disorders, was found to depress both primary antibody to sheep red blood cells and delayed-type hypersensitivity responses in normal mice. This immunodepressant activity warrants further investigation owing to its potential consequences on human health and the putative involvement of specific receptors on immunocompetent cells.