Gamijeonssibaekchulsan regulates mast cell-mediated anaphylactic reaction.

Gamijeonssibaekchulsan (GJBS) is a typical Oriental medicine prescription which has been used in Korea for the treatment of allergic diseases and the development of physical strength. Howev- er, as yet there is no clear explanation of how GJBS affects the anaphylactic reaction and the im - mune function. In the present study murine models and MOLT-4 cells, a T cell line, were used to investigate these effects. Compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylactic shock and ear swelling response were firstly analyzed. We also assayed histamine release and passive cutaneous anaphy - laxis (PCA) in mice and cytokine productions in MOLT-4 cells. GJBS significantly inhibits com - pound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylactic shock and ear swelling response. GJBS also inhibits histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells induced by compound 48/80. PCA activated by anti-dinitrophenyl immunoglobulin E is attenuated by GJBS. However, GJBS dose not affect the production of interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, and IL-4 in MOLT-4 cells. These results indicate that GJBS has a potential regulatory effect on allergic reactions that are mediated by mast cells.