C.Girish

Antianaphylactic activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra was evaluated with the help of mesenteric mast cells of rats. The study was carried out by sensitization of the rat mesenteries by using sheep serum and tripple antigen to induce degranulation of mast cells. The mesenteries which are pretreated with prednisolone (10 mg), petroleum ether, methanol and aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (250mg, 500mg and 750mg) were analyzed for the mast cell degranulation during the anaphylactic reactions. Treatment with aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (500mg) showed beneficial effect on degranulation of mast cells in actively sensitized rats. The activity was comparable with that of standard drug, Prednisolone. Antianaphylactic activity of aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra on the mesenteric mast cells of the rat may be possibly due to the membrane stabilizing potential.