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Volatile Antiallergic Principles from a Traditional Herbal Prescription of Kampo Medicine
Author(s) -
Tanaka Shigeo,
Akimoto Makoto,
Tambe Yukihiro,
Tabata Mamoru,
Ikeshiro Yasumasa
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1573(199605)10:3<238::aid-ptr830>3.0.co;2-s
Subject(s) - kampo , tranilast , traditional medicine , medicine , pharmacology , sesquiterpene , phytotherapy , ovalbumin , pharmacognosy , chemistry , biological activity , stereochemistry , in vitro , immunology , biochemistry , alternative medicine , immune system , pathology
An aqueous extract of the traditional herbal prescription, Zyumi‐Haidoku‐San‐Ka‐Rengyo (ZSR), was examined for antiallergic activity. Its oral administration to rats significantly inhibited homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) induced by ovalbumin. The bioassay‐directed fractionation of the extract followed by GC/MS analysis revealed that β‐caryophyllene, a sesquiterpenoid component of the oil, was four times as active as the antiallergic drug tranilast against PCA induced in the ears of mice. β‐Caryophyllene proved to be more effective than its structural isomer, α‐humulene (α‐caryophyllene), suggesting that the peculiar bicyclic system with four‐ and nine‐member rings is of importance in enhancing the antiallergic activity of the sesquiterpene molecule.