Inhibitory effects of clonidine on allergic reactions in guinea-pig skin.

An experimental guinea-pig model was used to show that clonidine inhibited dose dependently the wheal and flare reaction to i.d. ovalbumin in sensitized animals. The effect of clonidine was counteracted by an alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, yohimbine, but not by an alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, prazosin. An H1-receptor antagonist, clemastine, initially reduced the wheal and flare reaction but did not influence the effect of clonidine. Cimetidine, an H2-receptor antagonist slightly reduced the effect of clonidine on the wheal and flare reaction. It is suggested that clonidine reduces the wheal and flare reaction by stimulating alpha 2-adrenoceptors, which inhibits the axon reflex of the response.