Mangiferin inhibits passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction and pruritus in mice.

The antiallergic effect of mangiferin isolated from the rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (family Liliaceae) was measured in vitro and in vivo. Orally and intraperitoneally administered mangiferin potently inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction induced by IgE-antigen complex as well as pruritus induced by compound 48/80 in mice. Mangiferin also inhibited the expression of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha and the IgE-switching cytokine IL-4 as well as transcription factor NF-kappaB activation in RBL-2H3 cells stimulated by IgE-antigen complex. These findings suggest that mangiferin may improve PCA reaction and pruritus.