title: Effects of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) extracts on experimental allergic rhinitis in rats.
abstract: The present study was carried out to clarify the effects of extracts of the leaves of Mentha piperita L. on experimental allergic rhinitis. The 50% EtOH extract of peppermint inhibited histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells induced by compound 48/80. The effect was dose-dependent and significant inhibition was observed at a concentration of 3 microg/ml. In addition, the 50% EtOH eluate separated from the 50% EtOH extract of peppermint by column chromatography (DIAION HP-20) was also effective in inhibiting histamine release at a concentration of 1 microg/ml. Nasal symptoms, sneezing and nasal rubbing induced by antigen challenge in actively sensitized rats were inhibited by oral administration of the 50% EtOH eluate. Significant inhibition of sneezing and nasal rubbing was observed at doses of 300 and 1000 mg/kg, p.o., respectively. Furthermore, the 50% EtOH eluate inhibited dye leakage into the nasal cavity of rats induced by antigen in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that extracts of Mentha piperita L. may be clinically effective in alleviating the nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sugimoto
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Masuda
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kamei
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D036142:Mentha piperita; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts