Anti-allergic effects of cnidii monnieri fructus (dried fruits of Cnidium monnieri) and its major component, osthol.

Anti-allergic effects (types I and IV) of the 70% ethanol extract (CM-ext) obtained from Cnidii Monnieri Fructus (dried fruits of Cnidium monnieri) were investigated on 48 h homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA), 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact dermatitis and picryl chloride (PC)-induced contact dermatitis in experimental animals. CM-ext showed inhibitory effects on these allergic models. Osthol isolated from CM-ext also had the inhibitory effects. These results suggested that Cnidii Monnieri Fructus might be useful as an agent for allergic diseases and that its anti-allergic effect was partially attributable to a coumarin derivative, osthol.