Inhibitory effect of the stereoisomers of dimethindene maleate (Fenistil®) on histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells

Abstract

Dimethindene maleate (DM) (FenistilR) is a potent antihistamine with a prolonged duration of action. In the present study, the racemic (±) form of DM and its individual (+) and (−) optical isomers were shown to be weak or non-releasers of histamine from rat peritoneal mast cells and to produce a comparable, dose-dependent inhibition of anti-IgE-induced histamine release from the same cell type. As such, the inhibitory activity of DM on the mast cell is probably due to the stabilization of this cell type rather than an interaction with the H1-receptor.