The influence of colchicine, colcemid, ginseng-alcohol extract, saponin, garlic alcohol-ether extract, and X-irradiation on free floating peritoneal mast cells were studied in rats by means of a phase contrast microscope. After the intraperitoneal injection of colchicine or colcemid the mast cells of the albino rat peritoneal fluid show an altered morphology. Ginseng-alcohol extract, allicin extracted from garlic, and X-irradiation do not elicit this cytological response. Mast cells exposed to saponin exhibit a severe destruction and degranulation.
The relation of the mast cell-damaging agents, metabolic poisons, and X-irradiation to the mast cell response is discussed with reference to the morphological changes. These are compared with the data of Padawer (1960, 1966).
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