Comparative efficacy of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), olopatadine hydrochloride, and dexamethasone sodium phosphate in experimental allergic conjunctivitis*

Authors: ERDİNÇ AYDIN, HELİN DENİZ DEMİR, HÜSEYİN ÖZYURT, ÜNAL ERKORKMAZ

Abstract: To compare the antiallergic efficacy of 1% caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), 0.1% olopatadine hydrochloride, and 0.1% dexamethasone sodium phosphate. Materials and methods: Experimental allergic conjunctivitis was provoked by a mast cell activator (compound 48/80) in 31 New Zealand rabbits. The rabbits were divided into 3 groups, and 1% CAPE, 0.1% olopatadine hydrochloride, and 0.1% dexamethasone sodium phosphate were instilled 30 min before and 15 min after the provocation. The edema and hyperemia in the experimental (right) eyes and control (left) eyes were scored in each group. Anterior segment photographs and conjunctival samples for histopathological evaluation and scoring were taken. Results: When the edema and hyperemia scores of the postprovocation term were compared with those of the provocation term, a significant difference was detected in each group (P = 0.021, P = 0.037, P = 0.0001). The histopathological scores of the provocation and postprovocation terms were evaluated; a statistically significant difference was found in the CAPE and dexamethasone sodium phosphate groups (P = 0.003, P = 0.014), but not in the olopatadine group (P = 0.096). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that 1% CAPE was as clinically efficacious as 0.1% olopatadine and 0.1% dexamethasone. Thus, 1% CAPE may be an alternative to 0.1% olopatadine and 0.1% dexamethasone in the management of acute allergic reactions.

Keywords: Allergic conjunctivitis, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, dexamethasone sodium phosphate, olopatadine hydrochloride

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