Inhibition of Human Eosinophil Chemotaxis in Vitro by the Anti-Allergic Agent Emedastine Difumarate

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Emedastine difumarate (emedastine), an anti-allergic agent with anti-histaminic properties, was studied for its effect on human eosinophil chemotaxis induced by platelet activating factor (PAF). Peripheral blood eosinophils (98% purity) were obtained from healthy donors and chemotaxis assay were performed in microchemotaxis chambers. Emedastine showed a significant inhibitory effect on 10−6 M PAF-induced eosinophil chemotaxis, in dose dependent fashion, at concentrations from 10−6 to 10−8 M. Conversely, no inhibitory effect was observed on human neutrophil chemotaxis. Pretreatment of eosinophils with Pyrilamine did not affect PAF-induced eosinophil chemotaxis. Thus emedastine appears to possess a potent and selective inhibitory effect on eosinophils chemotaxis, an action which is probably unrelated to its anti-histamine properties.