<p><b><i>Background:</i></b> Currently, there are no efficient
medications available for the prevention and treatment of food allergy
(FA). Herbal medicines, including traditional Japanese Kampo medicines
(TJKMs), are promising therapeutic drugs. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We
screened 18 TJKMs for treatment of FA symptoms in a mouse FA model
induced by ovalbumin (OVA). BALB/c mice were sensitized
intraperitoneally by an OVA/aluminum hydroxide gel mixture followed by 4
booster doses of oral OVA and FA symptom induction by 50 mg of OVA.
TJKMs were orally administered for 28 days from the day of sensitization
to the day before FA symptom induction. Evaluated FA symptoms included a
decrease in body temperature and allergic diarrhea. Allergic
sensitization was determined by plasma OVA-specific IgE levels. Cytokine
mRNA levels in mesenteric lymph nodes, plasma mouse mast cell
protease-1, and the number of mast cells in the small and large
intestines were analyzed. Additionally, the therapeutic effect of the
TJKM eppikajutsuto (EJT) on mast cell degranulation was determined in
active anaphylaxis and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis models. <b><i>Results:</i></b>
EJT effectively prevented FA symptoms. Although OVA-specific IgE levels
and the intestinal mast cell numbers were not different between the
EJT-treated and untreated FA mice, plasma mMcpt1 and IL-4 levels were
lower in EJT-treated FA mice than untreated FA mice. EJT could alleviate
symptoms in both active and passive anaphylaxis models. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b>
EJT prevented OVA-induced FA symptoms in a mouse model, suggesting that
EJT might exert its therapeutic activity via IL-4 suppression and the
inhibition of mucosal mast cell degranulation.</p
