Inhibitory effect of xian-qing-long-tan extract on degranulation and histamine release from rat mast cells

Xian-Qing-Long-Tang (XQLT), a Chinese medicine, is useful for treating allergic diseases. To demonstrate the anti-allergic effect of this drug we examined its effect on degranulation and histamine release from rat mast cells induced by antigen and compound 48/80. The effect on 48 h homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in rats was also studied. In the IgE antigen-antibody reaction using DNP-As, XQLT inhibited histamine release from rat mast cells, in vitro; it also inhibited 48 h rat homologous PCA reaction, in vivo. These results suggest that XQLT inhibits type 1 allergic reaction, and has effectiveness for allergic disease.