Hippocastani semen

Hippocastanii semen, the horse chestnut seed(in common parlance the actual chestnut) consisting of the fresh or dried "chestnuts" of Aesculus hippocastanum and their preparations (off. DAB 10, monographs WHO, Commission E), see also Horse chestnut

Quality is defined in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

HMPC monograph: Well-established use: Internal: standardized dry extracts (extractant ethanol 40-80%; 6.5-10% triterpene glycosides - calculated as protoaescigenin): Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI); pain and heaviness in the legs, external: itching and calf cramps

Traditional-use: Ointments and gels with horse chestnut seed extract to relieve mild venous discomfort, local swelling and bruising.

ESCOP monograph: Chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins.

BfArM (approval): for the treatment of complaints associated with diseases of the leg veins (CVI) such as pain, heaviness, nocturnal calf cramps, itching and swelling.

Commission E-Monography: Diseases of the leg veins (chronic venous insufficiency), e.g. pain and heaviness in the legs, nocturnal calf cramps, itching and leg swelling.

Empirical medicine: varicosis, post-thrombotic syndrome, leg ulcers; post-traumatic soft tissue swelling, prophylactic against travel thrombosis, hematoma for resorption.

According to WHO: diarrhea, fever, to stop bleeding in case of excessive menstruation, tonic.

The preparations contain 3-6% triterpene saponins (according to DAB at least 3% calculated as dried aescin; a standardized horse chestnut extract, RSE, was preferably examined), starch (30-60%), bitter substance, fatty oil, proteins, tannins (catechin derivatives) and flavonoids.

Effects (pos. Report of Commission E): anti-oedematous, antiexudative and venentonizing to support chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

CVI, postthrombotic syndrome, varicosis, phlebothrombosis, superficial thrombophlebitis, pain and heaviness in the legs

Standardized extracts: 100-150 mg aescin

Irritation of the mucous membranes in the gastrointestinal tract, nausea, stomach complaints, itching, allergic reactions.

Side effects compared to one of the existing active substances.
Pregnancy and lactation: No safety studies yet, consult your doctor!

Not recommended for children and adolescents.

Internal: Aescusan retard® Tbl. (ED 263.2 mg RSE ), Venoplant® retard S retard tablets (ED 263.2 mg RSE, 50 mg aescin), Venostasin® retard capsules (ED 240-290 mg RSE, 50 mg aescin
)External: Venostasin® cream

1. Abudayeh ZH et al. (2015) Determination of Four Major Saponins in Skin and Endosperm of Seeds of Horse Chestnut (Aesculus Hippocastanum L.) Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Positive Confirmation by Thin Layer Chromatography. Adv Pharm Bull 5:587-591.
2. Commission E Hippocastani semen
3. Liu S et al. (2012) Escin inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in human periodontal ligament cells. Mol Med Rep 6:1150-1154.
4. Luzzi R et al. (2011) Aescin: microcirculatory activity. Effects of accessory components on clinical and microcirculatory efficacy. Panminerva Med 53(3 Suppl 1):51-55.
5. Sipos W et al. (2013) Escin inhibits type I allergic dermatitis in a novel porcine model. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 161:44-52.
6. Vašková J et al. (2015) Antioxidant potential of Aesculus hippocastanum extract and escin against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 19:879-886.
7. Wang H et al. (2013) Anti-inflammatory effects of escin are correlated with the glucocorticoid receptor/NF-κB signaling pathway, but not the COX/PGF2α signaling pathway. Exp Ther Med 6:419-422.
8. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/rosskastanie.php
9. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/european-union-herbal-monograph-aesculus-hippocastanum-l-semen-final-revision-1_en.pdf
10. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 184-185

11. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl tea drugs and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practitioners. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 337-339