4H-Irnidazo [P, lc][1, 4] benzoxazine-2-carboxylic acid (3) was found to possess potent activity in the IgE-induced rat passive cutaneous anaphylaxis model which may be predictive of clinical antiallergic activity. Compared to disodium cromoglycate (DSCG, l), 3 was less active following iv administration but unlike DSCG showed very significant oral activity. To explore the structural requirements for this activity, a range of tricyclic ...