[Pharmacological study on citrus fruits. I. Anti-allergic effect of fruit of Citrus unshiu Markovich (1)].

A study was carried out to examine the effect of 50% ethanolic extract from green fruit of Citrus unshiu Markovich on type I, II and IV allergic reactions. Forty eight-hour homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in rats as a typical model of the type I reaction was significantly inhibited by the oral administration of the extract. Complement-dependent cytolysis of sheep red blood cell as a typical model of the type II reaction was significantly inhibited by incubation with it. Contact dermatitis in mice as a model of the type IV reaction caused by picryl chloride or sheep red blood cell was significantly inhibited by the oral application of it. The anti-allergic actions decreased with the growth of fruit of Citrus unshiu. These results suggested that the 50% ethanolic extract from green fruit of Citrus unshiu have anti-allergic actions against the type I, II and IV reactions.