Abstract: Etifoxine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, can be used for the treatment of a disease related to activated mast cells in a subject, preferably a human. Furthermore, a pharmaceutical composition containing Etifoxine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient can be used for the treatment of a disease related to activated mast cells. An in vitro or ex-vivo method of inhibiting mast cell activation, involves contacting a cell with Etifoxine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.