Objective: To compare the effective similarities and differences between the Xiaoqinglong decoction and Mahuang Fuzi Xixin decoction on experimental allergic rhinitis (EAR) in guinea pigs. Method: EAR was induced in guinea pigs with ovum albumin

and all the animals with EAR are randomly divided into 4 groups

i.e. EAR model group

the Xinqin granules control group treating with Xinqin granules 4.65 g ·kg-1

treatment group with the Xiaoqinglong decoction 7.44 g ·kg-1

and treatment group with the Mahuang Fuzi Xixin decoction 2.33 g ·kg-1

supplemented with a normal group as the control. The experiment lasted 14 days. During the experimental period

attention was paid to observe changes in symptoms

histamine content in blood and morphological features of nasal mucosa under light microscopy. Result: The three treatment groups all reduced the accumulative scores of the symptoms and histamine content in blood

and showd highly signifieant compared with that of the normal group (P<0.01). The treatment group with the Mahuang Fuzi Xixin decoction showd highly signifieant(P<0.01)in reducing histamine content in blood(3.64±0.83) mg ·L-1

compared with the Xiaoqinglong decoction group(4.58±0.51) mg ·L-1 and the Xinqin granules group(4.36±0.13) mg ·L-1

and also acted better on recovering the nasal mucosa. Conclusion: Mahuang Fuzi Xixin decoction is more effective in treaing EAR

and it acts better than the Xiaoqinglong decoction on ruducing histamine content in blood and recovering the nasal mucosa.