Pharmacological Studies on Leaf of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) SPRENG. V. Effect of Water Extract from Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) SPRENG. (Bearberry Leaf) on the Antiallergic and Antiinflammatory Activities of Dexamethazone Ointment

Abstract

Effects of water extract (UW-ext) from the leaf of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng (Bearberry leaf) on the antiallergic and antiinflammatory activities of dexamethasone ointment were investigated. One or 2% UW-ext ointment did not inhibit the ear swelling by picryl chloride-induced contact dermatitis (PC-CD) and carrageenin-induced paw edema. UW-ext augmented the inhibitory effect of dexamethasone ointment (0.005 or 0.025%) on these allergic and inflammatory models, but not the side effect of it. These results suggest that Bearberry leaf increases the inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on the allergic and inflammatory models.