Aescin
Encyclopedia
Aescin or escin is a mixture of saponin
s with anti-inflammatory
, vasoconstrictor and vasoprotective
effects found in Aesculus hippocastanum (the horse chestnut). Aescin is the main active compound in horse chestnut, and is responsible for most of its medicinal properties.
High-quality evidence suggests aescin is a safe and effective treatment for chronic venous insufficiency
. In one randomized controlled trial
, horse chestnut extract was found to be as effective and well-tolerated as use of compression stockings
.
by making endothelial cells more permeable to calcium
ions, and also induces release of prostaglandin F2α
. Other possible mechanisms include serotonin antagonism
and histamine antagonism
and reduced catabolism
of tissue mucopolysaccharides.
Saponin
Saponins are a class of chemical compounds, one of many secondary metabolites found in natural sources, with saponins found in particular abundance in various plant species...
s with anti-inflammatory
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-inflammatory refers to the property of a substance or treatment that reduces inflammation. Anti-inflammatory drugs make up about half of analgesics, remedying pain by reducing inflammation as opposed to opioids, which affect the central nervous system....
, vasoconstrictor and vasoprotective
Vasoprotective
A Vasoprotective is a medication which acts to alleviate certain conditions of the blood vessels. For example, the World Health Organization used the term to describe agents used in the treatment of hemorrhoids and varicose veins....
effects found in Aesculus hippocastanum (the horse chestnut). Aescin is the main active compound in horse chestnut, and is responsible for most of its medicinal properties.
High-quality evidence suggests aescin is a safe and effective treatment for chronic venous insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency or CVI is a medical condition where the veins cannot pump enough oxygen-poor blood back to the heart. It is sometimes referred to as an "impaired musculovenous pump", this is due to damaged or "incompetent" valves as may occur after deep vein thrombosis or phlebitis...
. In one randomized controlled trial
Randomized controlled trial
A randomized controlled trial is a type of scientific experiment - a form of clinical trial - most commonly used in testing the safety and efficacy or effectiveness of healthcare services or health technologies A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is a type of scientific experiment - a form of...
, horse chestnut extract was found to be as effective and well-tolerated as use of compression stockings
Compression stockings
Compression stockings and socks are specialised hosiery items designed to increase blood circulation. Their main theraputic purpose is to provide graduated pressure on the lower leg and foot and, in some cases, the thigh, to alleviate circulatory problems such as edema, phlebitis and...
.
Mechanism of action
Aescin appears to produce effects through a wide range of mechanisms. It induces endothelial nitric oxide synthesisEndothelial NOS
Endothelial NOS , also known as nitric oxide synthase 3 or constitutive NOS , is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the NOS3 gene....
by making endothelial cells more permeable to calcium
Calcium
Calcium is the chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20. It has an atomic mass of 40.078 amu. Calcium is a soft gray alkaline earth metal, and is the fifth-most-abundant element by mass in the Earth's crust...
ions, and also induces release of prostaglandin F2α
Dinoprost
Prostaglandin F2α is pharmaceutically termed Dinoprost is a naturally occurring prostaglandin used in medicine to induce labor and as an abortifacient....
. Other possible mechanisms include serotonin antagonism
Serotonin antagonist
A serotonin antagonist is a drug used to inhibit the action at serotonin receptors.Many of the most important medications of this class selectively act at the 5-HT3 receptor, and thus are known as 5-HT3 antagonists...
and histamine antagonism
Histamine antagonist
A histamine antagonist, commonly referred to as antihistamine, is a pharmaceutical drug that inhibits action of histamine by blocking it from attaching to histamine receptors.- Clinical effects :...
and reduced catabolism
Catabolism
Catabolism is the set of metabolic pathways that break down molecules into smaller units and release energy. In catabolism, large molecules such as polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids and proteins are broken down into smaller units such as monosaccharides, fatty acids, nucleotides, and amino...
of tissue mucopolysaccharides.
External links
- Information on horse chestnut extract from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer CenterMemorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer CenterMemorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center is a cancer treatment and research institution founded in 1884 as the New York Cancer Hospital...