Inhibitory Effects of Moutan Cortex on Immediate Allergic Reactions

The anti-allergic effect of an ethanol extract from Moutan Cortex was evaluated in some animal models. The Moutan Cortex extract (30, 100 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently inhibited systemic anaphylactic shock induced by compound 48/80 in mice. It also inhibited dose-dependently the scratching behavior induced by compound 48/80 or histamine at a dose of 100 mg/kg. An increase in the vascular permeability induced by compound 48/80 or histamine was also inhibited by the Moutan Cortex. In addition, in vitro studies, the Moutan Cortex inhibited histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells induced by compound 48/80. To investigate the active component of Moutan Cortex extract, it was suspended in water and extracted with EtOAc to yield EtOAc insoluble (A) and soluble (B) fractions. The effect of extract (B) was more potent than that of extract (A) in inhibiting histamine release. From these findings, it seems likely that the Moutan Cortex extract is effective in antagonizing certain pharmacological effects induced by compound 48/80, which is probably mediated by inhibiting the release of histamine from mast cells and antagonizing the effect on histamine. The main active component of Moutan Cortex is considered to be contained in extract (B). In conclusion, Moutan Cortex may be useful for the relief of symptoms of atopic dermatitis and other allergy-related diseases.