Evaluation of the Anti-Allergic Potential of Polyherbal Granule Formulations Containing Boswellia Serrata, Zingiber Officinale and Withania Somnifera Through Inhibition of Mast Cell-Mediated Histamine Release

Mast cell activation is the main cause of allergic and inflammatory disorders resulting in the release of histamine.
Traditional antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers are effective, but are limited by side effects and tolerance. As such,
there is exploration of herbal alternatives which have multi-targeted anti-allergic potential. It is also traditionally known
that Boswellia serrata, Zingiber officinale and Withania somnifera have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory
properties. Inhibition of histamine release was measured in MRGPRX2-transfected RBL-2H3 cells and rat peritoneal mast
cells (RPMCs) provoked with compound 48/80. The concentration of histamine was measured by an HPLC-fluorometric

assay and inhibition concentrations (IC 50) determined. All the formulations inhibited the histamine release in a dose-
dependent effect. The strongest potency (IC 50: 9.2 mg/mL in RBL-2H3; 8.8 mg/mL in RPMCs) was obtained with 6571%

inhibition by PG-4, equivalent to ketotifen (7377%). Direct regulation of mast cell degranulation is confirmed by the similar

responses in both of the models. Polyherbal formulations particularly the PG-4 have great mast cell-stabilizing and anti-
allergic capability, which justifies the need to pursue further in vivo studies to appraise their effectiveness, security, and

usage as the naturally occurring anti-allergic medicines.