Biologically Active Principles of Crude Drugs. Anti-Allergic Principles of"Shoseiryu-to."I. Effect on Delayed-type Allergy Reaction

Effect of"Shoseiryu-to, "one of the Kanpo-prescriptions, on the delayed-type allergic reaction induced by picryl chloride was investigated in mice. The water extract of"Shoseiryu-to"showed an anti-allergic effect, and 50% methanolic extract of Paeoniae Radix (the root of Paeonia albiflora spp.) and Glycyrrhizae Radix (the root of Glycyrrhiza spp.), components of"Shoseiryu-to, "exhibited an anti-allergic effect. The anti-allergic activity of the extract of Glycyrrhizae Radix have been reported, so we designed experiments to clarify the active substance of Paeoniae Radix. It was revealed that, paeoniflorin, a main component of Paeoniae Radix, was one of the active substances in the extract.