The 48-hour passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) and passive anaphylactic bronchoconstriction in rats induced by an
IgE-like antibody against DNP-Ascaris were inhibited by intravenous treatment with
traxanox sodium in a dose dependent manner. In both experiments,
traxanox sodium was more potent than
disodium cromoglycate (DSCG), especially as an inhibitor of bronchial
anaphylaxis. In the PCA test of rats using a double sensitization technique according to the Orr's method,
traxanox sodium was demonstrated not to inhibit
antigen-antibody combination, but to inhibit the release of chemical mediators at a stage following
antigen-antibody combination.
Traxanox sodium inhibited the
complement dependent immune
hemolysis, but not the hypotonic
hemolysis in vitro. However it failed to inhibit the Forssman
anaphylaxis in the guinea pig in vivo.
Traxanox sodium (50-250 mg/kg p.o.) showed an inhibitory effect on the direct passive
Arthus reaction (DPAR) of the rats. Furthermore, it delayed the onset of the hyperacute form of
experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) and reduced mortality in the rats. DSCG was less effective on DPAR and EAE. In conclusion,
traxanox sodium is considered to have a wider spectrum of
anti-allergic activity than DSCG since it has a suppressive effect not only on the type I
allergic reaction, but also on the type III and IV
allergic reactions.