Aescin

chembox new
Name=β-Aescin (main component)
ImageFile=Beta-Aescin.svg
ImageSize=280
IUPACName=(2"S",3"S",4"S",5"R",6"R")-6-{ [(3"S",4"S",4a"R",6a"R", 6b"S",8"R",8a"R",9"R",10"R",12a"S",14a"R",14b"R")
-9-acetoxy-8-hydroxy-4,8a-bis(hydroxymethyl)-4,6a,6b,11,11, 14b-hexamethyl-10- [2-methyl-1-oxobut-2-enoxy] -1,2,3,4a,5,6,7,
8,9,10,12,12a,14,14a-tetradecahydropicen-3-yl] oxy}-4-hydroxy-
3,5-bis{ [(2"S",3"R",4"S",5"S",6"R")-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-
2-tetrahydropyranyl] oxy}-2-tetrahydropyrancarboxylic acid
OtherNames=Escin
Section1=Chembox Identifiers
CASNo=6805-41-0
PubChem=6476031
KEGG=C08921
SMILES=CC=C(C)C(=O)OC1C(C2(C(CC1(C)C)C3=CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2O)C)C)(C)CO)OC6C(C(C(C(O6)C(=O)O)OC7C(C(C(C(O7)CO)O)O)O)O)OC8C(C(C(C(O8)CO)O)O)O)C)CO)OC(=O)C
Section2=Chembox Properties
C=55|H=86|O=24
Appearance=
Density=
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Section3=Chembox Hazards
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Aescin or escin is a mixture of saponins 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.cite journal |author=Sirtori CR |title=Aescin: pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and therapeutic profile |journal=Pharmacol. Res. |volume=44 |issue=3 |pages=183–93 |year=2001 |month=September |pmid=11529685 |doi=10.1006/phrs.2001.0847 |url=] [cite journal |author=Pittler MH, Ernst E |title=Horse chestnut seed extract for chronic venous insufficiency |journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev |volume= |issue=1 |pages=CD003230 |year=2006 |pmid=16437450 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD003230.pub3 |url=] In one randomized controlled trial, horse chestnut extract was found to be as effective and well-tolerated as use of compression stockings. [cite journal |author=Diehm C, Trampisch HJ, Lange S, Schmidt C |title=Comparison of leg compression stocking and oral horse-chestnut seed extract therapy in patients with chronic venous insufficiency |journal=Lancet |volume=347 |issue=8997 |pages=292–4 |year=1996 |month=February |pmid=8569363 |doi= |url=]

Mechanism of action

Aescin appears to produce effects through a wide range of mechanisms. It induces endothelial nitric oxide synthesis by making endothelial cells more permeable to calcium ions, and also induces release of prostaglandin F_2α. [cite journal |author=Carrasco OF, Vidrio H |title=Endothelium protectant and contractile effects of the antivaricose principle escin in rat aorta |journal=Vascul. Pharmacol. |volume=47 |issue=1 |pages=68–73 |year=2007 |month=July |pmid=17512261 |doi=10.1016/j.vph.2007.04.003 |url=] [cite journal |author=Berti F, Omini C, Longiave D |title=The mode of action of aescin and the release of prostaglandins |journal=Prostaglandins |volume=14 |issue=2 |pages=241–9 |year=1977 |month=August |pmid=897216 |doi= |url=] Other possible mechanisms include serotonin antagonism and histamine antagonism and reduced catabolism of tissue mucopolysaccharides.

References

External links

* [http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69256.cfm Information on horse chestnut extract] from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center