The effect of a herbal water-extract on histamine release from mast cells and on allergic asthma

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Abstract

A water extract of a mixture of eight herbs (chamomile, saffron, anise, fennel, caraway, licorice, cardomom and black seed) was tested for its inhibitory effect on histamine released from rat peritoneal mast cells stimulated either by compound 48/80 or by IgE/anti-IgE. The effect of the herb extract was compared to that of the flavonoid quercetin. The herbal water-extract inhibited histamine release from chemically-and immunologically-induced cells by 81% and 85%, respectively; quercetin treated cells were inhibited by 95% and 97%, respectively. The clinical results showed significant improvements of sleep discomfort, cough frequency and cough intensity in addition to increased percentages of FEV1/FVC in patients suffering from allergic asthma, who used the herbal tea compared to those who used the placebo tea.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)41-54
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy
Volume3
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Pharmacology

Keywords

  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Chamomile
  • Herbal extract
  • Histamine
  • Mast cells
  • Quercetin

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