Objective To explore the possible mechanism of Guben Kangmin Recipe（固本抗敏方） in treating chronic urticaria with spleen-kidney yang deficiency. Methods Thirty-six SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group

a model group

a loratadine group

a Guben Kangmin Recipe high dose group and a low dose group

with six rats in each group. The spleen-kidney yang deficiency model was constructed in rats of all groups except for normal group

through ice-water irrigation

ice-water swimming

intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone

control of amount per feeding

and intraperitoneal injection of saline solution containing ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide. Intragastric administration of drugs started from day 27 and continued for seven days; the daily dosage of Guben Kangmin Recipe in low and high dose group was 9.54 g/（kg·d） and 19.08 g/（kg·d） respectively; the dosage of loratadine tablets was 0.90 mg/（kg·d）; the dosage of normal saline by gavage was 10 ml/（kg·d） in normal group and model group. The serum cyclic adenosine monophosphate（cAMP）

cyclic guanosine monophosphate（cGMP）

mast cell degranulation in the peritoneal fluid

expression of serum immunoglobulin E（IgE） and interferon γ（IFN-γ）

kidney and spleen alkaline phosphatase（ATP） activity

and allergic reaction score were detected. Results Compared to normal group

the model group significantly increased the serum IgE level

the expression of cAMP and cAMP/cGMP

and the allergic reaction score; decreased the IFN-γ level and the expression of cGMP; increased the percentage of peritoneal mast cells degranulation; and downgraded the expression levels of Na

+

-K

+

-ATPase

Ca

2+

-Mg

2+

-ATPase and T-ATPase in the kidney and spleen（P

<

0.05; P

<

0.01）. Compared to model group

there were significantly lower serum IgE level

expression level of cAMP and cAMP/cGMP

allergic reaction score

and percentage of peritoneal mast cells degranulation

as well as higher expression of cGMP

and expression levels of Na

+

-K

+

-ATPase

Ca

2+

-Mg

2+

-ATPase and T-ATPase in the kidney and spleen（P

<

0.05; P

<

0.01）. The result in IFN-γ level favored high and low dose of Guben Kangmin Recipe high than loratadine（P

<

0.01）. Conclusion In the treatment of chronic urticaria with spleen-kidney yang deficiency

Guben Kangmin Recipe may increase serum IFN-γ level and reduce IgE level

thereby inhibiting skin mast cell degranulation

stabilizing mast cells

and increasing ATPase activity.