Figure 1

Anti-allergic and dose-dependent efficacy of beta-escin in the murine PCA model. For PCA induction, anti-TNP IgE (2.5 μg) was injected intradermally into the dorsal skin at 6 independent spots. After 15 min, mice were challenged with intravenous injection of 50 μg DNP-BSA supplemented with 1% Evans blue dye. Blue stained skin areas were quantified from digital photographs 15 min after challenge. (A) SKH1-mice were pre-treated i.p. with vehicle (10 ml/kg, n = 21), dexamethasone (dex, 3 mg/kg, n = 5) or beta-escin (escin, 3 mg/kg, n = 12) 6 h prior application of antigen. (B) Different concentrations of beta-escin (n = 4-12) were given i.p. 6 h prior challenge. For each mouse the mean of 6 spots was calculated. Based on these values the mean ± SEM was determined for each group, normalized to the vehicle control group (equals 100%) and represented as column or point in the graphs (A) and (B), respectively. Significant differences between the treatment groups and the vehicle group are indicated with: * p < 0.05 and *** p < 0.001.