Anti-inflammatory Effect of Peach Leaf Extract and Application of the Extract to Bath Additives

Although peach leaf is used in external preparations and bath additives for dermal diseases, its pharmacological effects are not sufficiently understood. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of peach leaf extract on UV-induced erythema in guinea pigs, carrageenin-induced hind paw edema in rats, in vitro emigration of leukocytes, and PGE2 production in cell culture. In addition, the effects of bath additive containing peach leaf extract on erythema induced by UV-irradiation in a human sunburn model were evaluated.UV-induced erythema and carrageenin-induced edema were inhibited by immersion in bath containing peach leaf extract, and leukocyte emigration and PGE2 production were inhibited by extract preparation. UV-irrradiation induced erythema measured by the colorimeter was significantly more suppressed by bathing with additive preparation than by control (plain water) bathing.We conclude that peach leaf extaract has anti-inflammatory effect and that bath additive containing peach leaf extract may have benefitical effect on inflammatory dermal diseases such as dermatitis solaris.