Antiallergic and anti-inflammatory properties of the ethanolic extract from Gleditsia sinensis

This study was carried out to determine the effects of the 70% ethanolic extract from the anomalous fruits of Gleditsia sinensis LAM. (AFGS) on experimental allergic reactions and inflammation. AFGS (200, 500, 1000 mg/kg, p.o.) dose-dependently inhibited the systemic anaphylactic shock induced by compound 48/80 in mice and cutaneous reactions induced by histamine or serotonin in rats. At doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg, AFGS showed a clear inhibition on homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rats. In vitro, AFGS significantly reduced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells triggered by compound 48/80 at concentrations of 20 and 50 micro/ml. Moreover, AFGS (500, 1000 mg/kg, p.o.) showed a significant inhibition on the hind paw edema in rats and ear swelling in mice caused by carrageenin and croton oil, respectively. It also clearly inhibited the vascular permeability induced by acetic acid in mice at a dose of 1000 mg/kg. These findings demonstrate that the ethanolic extract from the anomalous fruits of Gleditsia sinensis possesses antiallergic and anti-inflammatory activities, which may be mediated by reducing the release of mediators such as histamine from mast cells and weakening the inflammatory action of these mediators.