ABSTRACT
Aim To study the anti-inflammator y and antiallergic effects of polysaccharide nucleic acid fraction of bacillus cal mette guerin (BCG-PSN). Methods Effect of BCG-PSN on itch thr eshold of guinea pigs caused by phosphoric acid histamine, ear oedema of mice ca used by xylene, carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema in rats, delayed hypersensi tivity reaction induced by 2,4-dinitroflurobenzene in mice, homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rats and heterologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in mice were investigated. BCG-PSN was administered intramuscularly every other d ay for three weeks. Results BCG-PSN(0.1,0.2,0.4 mg?kg -1) had no effect on itch threshold of guinea pigs caused by phosphoric aci d histamine. In mice, BCG-PSN(0.15,0.30,0.60 mg?kg -1) significant ly inhibited ear oedema caused by xylene and heterologous passive cutaneous anap hylaxis in a dose-dependent manner. BCG-PSN at the dose of 0.60 mg?kg -1 also significantly inhibited delayed hypersensitivity reaction induced by 2,4 -dinitroflurobenzene in mice. In rats, BCG-PSN(0.1,0.2,0.4 mg?kg -1 )significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema and homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. Conclusion BCG-PSN inhibites ac ute inflammation, immediate type allergy and delayed type allergy.