Salmeterol inhibits anaphylactic histamine release from guinea-pig isolated mast cells.

Salmeterol (1 nM-100 microM) showed an inhibitory action on anaphylactic histamine release from mast cells, isolated from pleural and peritoneal cavities of actively sensitized guinea-pigs and stimulated by incubation with allergen. The effect is concentration-dependent and is reduced by the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (1 microM). This study supports the hypothesis of an anti-inflammatory property of salmeterol, which concerns cells involved in the early phases of asthma.