The effect of aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula fruit (Combretaceae) (TCAE) by anal administration on mast cell-dependent immediate-type anaphylactic reactions was investigated. TCAE (0.005 to 1 g/kg) inhibited systemic anaphylaxis induced by compound 48/80 in mice. When TCAE was pretreated at the same concentrations with systemic anaphylaxis, the plasma histamine levels were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. TCAE (0.1 and 1 g/kg) also significantly inhibited local anaphylaxis activated by anti-DNP IgE. TCAE (0.001 to 1 mg/ml) dose-dependently inhibited the histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) activated by compound 48/80 or anti-DNP IgE. Moreover, TCAE (0.01 and 0.1 mg/ml) had a significant inhibitory effect on anti-DNP IgE-mediated tumor necrosis $factor-{alpha}$ $(TNF-{alpha})$ production from RPMC. These results provide evidence that anal therapy of TCAE may be beneficial in the treatment of systemic and local mast cell-dependent anaphylaxis.