Horse Chestnut Extract Research Articles

Fabrication, Optimization and Evaluation of Escin Enriched Emulgel System for Treatment of Varicose Veins

Varicose veins, a widespread chronic venous ailment in lower limbs, impact many individuals, causing considerable physical, financial, and social burdens. While surgery is the most effective treatment, its cost hinders personalized care. In the quest for venous-specific therapies, herbal remedies, particularly horse chestnut extract containing escin, are being explored. Escin, a key component, offers anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous, and antioxidant effects. The saponin escin has two forms, α and β, with distinct actions via oral and topical routes. A gel system with permeability enhancers was developed to enhance topical escin’s effectiveness following meticulous pre-formulation and optimization studies. The physiochemical characteristics of emulsion and emulgel system, assay of escin, in-vitro permeation, emulgel studies such as pH, viscosity, spreadability and stability studies are all included in the evaluation part. The 2% escin in the light beige-colored emulgel system was significantly improved permeability when soy lecithin was added. The investigation on permeation enhancement shows that there is 1.5 times more activity than there would be with standard preparation. Escin’s concentration was measured using a UV spectrophotometer and was found to be between 98 and 102%. Studies such as pH, viscosity and spreadability are within the predefined limits. Overall, the developed escin-based emulgel system shows promising results for the management of varicose veins

Horse Chestnut Seed Extract: An Opportunity for Creating Evidencebased New Natural Products

For centuries, herbal remedies have been used to prevent and treat disease. Horse chestnut seeds are an abundant source of phytoconstituents containing triterpenoid saponins, with thirty molecules isolated and characterized. Escin, which is a combination of acylated triterpene glycosides composed of α- and β-escin, is the major biologically active component of horse chestnut seed extract. Escin is the most researched veno-active compound with anti-inflammatory, anti-oedematous, and antioxidant properties. Due to their unique three pharmacological actions, escin is a well-established molecule for the management of venous diseases such as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and hemorrhoids. The available treatments for CVI have some disadvantages, including severe side effects, expensive surgical options, long duration of treatment, and limited accessibility to allopathic drugs. As a result, phytoconstituents and lifestyle changes can be seen as safe and effective therapy options for CVI management because they have no major side effects and can simultaneously function on several targets. This review article focuses on the chemical components of horse chestnut extract, particularly the phytoconstituents escin, and proanthocyanidins, which have been extensively studied in preclinical and clinical studies. The review article provides a comprehensive overview of their potential therapeutic benefits in managing symptoms of CVI and their regulatory status.

Aesculus hippocastanum L. extract differently modulates normal human dermal fibroblasts and cancer-associated fibroblasts from basal/squamous cell carcinoma.

Fibroblasts are actively involved in the formation of granulation tissue and/or tumor stroma. These cells possess the potential to differentiate into myofibroblasts acquiring a highly contractile phenotype characterized by the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA). Considering TGF-β1 as the main inducer of myofibroblast differentiation and horse chestnut extract (HCE) as an effective modulator of the wound healing, we have new evidence to demonstrate canonical TGF-β1/SMAD and non-canonical/non-SMAD signaling in normal fibroblasts, isolated from healthy human skin (human dermal fibroblasts - HDFs), and their malignant counterparts (CAFs) isolated from basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) using western blot and immunofluorescence. Our study revealed that HCE stimulated the deposition of fibronectin by BCC fibroblasts (BCCFs), an effect not seen in other studied fibroblasts. Moreover, HCE in combination with TGF-β1 showed a synergic effect on the presence of polymerized SMA-stress fibers, particularly visible in CAFs. Interestingly, the TGF-β1 exposure led to activation of the canonical SMAD signaling in HDFs and BCCFs, whereas treatment of SCC fibroblasts (SCCFs) resulted in activation of the non-canonical AKT and/or ERK1/2 signaling. In conclusion, we observed specific differences in signaling between HDFs and CAFs that should be considered when developing new therapeutic approaches targeting wound/tumor microenvironments.

Surface-active extracts from plants rich in saponins – effect on lipid mono- and bilayers

The aqueous extracts of the seeds of oat (Avena sativa L.), horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.), soybean (Glycine max L.), cowherb (Vaccaria hispanica [P. Mill.] Rauschert) and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), and the roots of soapwort (Saponaria officinalis L.) without any preservatives were characterized in terms of their surface tension, surface compression (dilational) rheology, foamability and foam stability. The saponin content in the extracts was determined using UPLC-MS and their interaction with model lipid monolayers consisting of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC)/cholesterol and Ceramide AP/stearic acid/cholesterol were analyzed by surface pressure relaxation, surface compression elasticity and neutron reflectometry (NR). The lipid composition was chosen to mimic the cell membrane of keratinocytes – major constituents of the human deeper skin layers, and the intercellular lipids (“mortar”) in the “bricks and mortar” model of the outermost layer of the epidermis (stratum corneum). Bilayers of DPPC/cholesterol were additionally characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and NR. The oat and soybean extracts were shown to be much less abundant in saponins as compared to cowherb, horse chestnut, soapwort or quinoa, and showed limited foaming abilities. They did not affect significantly the model lipid mono- and bilayers mimicking the skin outer layers, either. The horse chestnut extract affected both model membranes to the highest extent, yet without solubilizing the lipids.

Therapeutic potential of flavonoids in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a common disorder associated with a variety of symptoms in later disease stages; despite the high prevalence of this pathology, suitable pharmaceutical therapies have not been explored to date. In this context, it was recently reported that a chronic increase in venous wall stress or biomechanical stretch is sufficient to cause development of varicose veins. Recent evidence demonstrate that flavonoids are natural substances that convey the circulatory system functionality, playing a key role in blood flow. Particularly, troxerutin, diosmin and horse chestnut extract, appear protective for the management of vascular diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a flavonoid compound, containing troxerutin, diosmin and horse chestnut extract on in vitro model on HUVECs cells, due to its production of vasculoregulatory and vasculotropic molecules, on an ex-vivo model on mesenteric vessel contraction, to regularize mesenteric microcirculation and on in vivo model of CVI-induced by saphene vein ligation. Furthermore, the flavonoid compound capacity of extensibility and compatibility with peripheral veins was investigated through a tissue block culture study.The degree of absorption, the contractile venous activity, the histological analysis, the immunoistochemical and immunofluorescence evaluation for VEGF and CD34 were performed, together with inflammatory mediators dosage. For the first time, this research revealed the therapeutic potential of a compound, enriched with flavonoids, to be a supportive treatment, suitable to reduce varicose vein pathophysiology and to regularize venous tone.

Aesculus hippocastanum L. Extract Does Not Induce Fibroblast to Myofibroblast Conversion but Increases Extracellular Matrix Production In Vitro Leading to Increased Wound Tensile Strength in Rats.

The ability of horse chestnut extract (HCE) to induce contraction force in fibroblasts, a process with remarkable significance in skin repair, motivated us to evaluate its wound healing potential in a series of experiments. In the in vitro study of the ability of human dermal fibroblasts to form myofibroblast-like cells was evaluated at the protein level (Western blot and immunofluorescence). The in vivo study was conducted on male Sprague-Dawley rats with inflicted wounds (one open circular and one sutured incision) on their backs. Rats were topically treated with two tested HCE concentrations (0.1% and 1%) or sterile water. The control group remained untreated. The incisions were processed for wound tensile strength (TS) measurement whereas the open wounds were subjected to histological examination. On the in vitro level the HCE extract induced fibronectin-rich extracellular matrix formation, but did not induced α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression in dermal fibroblasts. The animal study revealed that HCE increased wound TS and improved collagen organization. In conclusion, the direct comparison of both basic wound models demonstrated that the healing was significantly increased following HCE, thus this extract may be found useful to improve healing of acute wounds. Nevertheless, the use of an experimental rat model warrants a direct extrapolation to the human clinical situation.

Comparative assessment of the clinical efficacy of first-generation phlebotonics in the complex treatment of patients with chronic venous diseases of the lower limbs

Target. Comparative assessment of the clinical efficacy of Aescusan I generation phlebotonics application in the complex treatment of patients with CVD.Material and methods.Analysis of treatment of 380 patients who applied for a phlebological appointment at the polyclinic department of SamSMU Clinics for the period from September 2017 to March 2019 was conducted. Group I (n = 104) included patients with even outpatient card numbers who were prescribed Troxevasin as a first-generation phlebotonic according to the scheme recommended by manufacturers Group II (n = 276) included patients with odd outpatient card numbers who were prescribed Aescusan (an extract of horse chestnut seeds Aesculus hippocastanum, active ingredient of which is aescin) as phlebotonics of the first generation according to the scheme recommended by the manufacturers. All patients were examined by a phlebologist before and after 1 course of treatment. Clinical efficacy of the therapy was assessed by the severity of the pain syndrome, feeling of heaviness, swelling and seizures using visual analogue scale (VAS). In addition, the effectiveness of conservative therapy was assessed through interviews and questionnaires. For a comparative assessment of the severity of edema syndrome, the lower limb circumference was measured at ankle level using a graduated tape.Results. No side effects were detected during clinical observation of the use of drugs. After the course of treatment, most of the observations showed positive dynamics. Changes in clinical symptoms (pain, seizures, heavy legs) in Group I were statistically unreliable (p>0.05). In the second group there was a decrease of pain syndrome intensity by 73,2%, a decrease of convulsions - by 63,5%, a decreaseof heaviness feeling – by 73,7%. In the course of the survey, 272 patients (98.5%) of Group II evaluated the treatment results as good, 4 patients (1.5%) did not notice any treatment results.In the course of repeated examination after the treatment 96,5% of doctors noted the result in Group II as good, 3,5% - as satisfactory. Conclusion. Thus, the results of complex treatment of patients with CVD showed that the use of 1st generation phlebotonics should be considered not only as pathogenetically justified, but also effective from the clinical point of view. Application of Aescusan drug leads to statistically significant reduction of clinical symptoms (subjective and objective) of lower limbs CVD.

Preparation of a Horse Chestnut Extract with a 50% Content of Escin and its Actions on Tumor Cell Proliferation and Isolated Mitochondria

Escin-containing horse chestnut extracts and various medicinal formulations are widely used as venotonic agents whose mechanisms of action and intracellular targets remain unknown. Escin is used as an active substance to increase membrane permeability in experiments, and it has more recently been shown to have cytotoxic effects on a number of tumor cell lines. With the aim of increasing the percentage content of active pharmaceutical escin substance in medicinal formulations and studying its mechanism of action, we prepared a horse chestnut extract (HCE) with a 50% escin content. Comparison of the cytotoxic action on HeLa tumor cell cultures showed that at identical concentrations by weight, HCE and reference agent escin had identical cytotoxic effects. At a concentration of 0.003 mg/ml, both substances inhibited HeLa cell viability by more than 80% at 24 h. The cytotoxic effect was not seen when the concentration was reduced four-fold. At equivalent cytotoxic concentrations, the actions of escin in HCE were studied on isolated mitochondria. Both substances were found to increase mitochondrial membrane permeability, to induce mitochondrial swelling, to decrease mitochondrial calcium capacity, and to induce the opening of mitochondrial pores (MPTP). MPTP opening leads to cell death. Escin induced slow and irreversible swelling of mitochondria, while HCE produced rapid and reversible swelling. The MPTP inhibitor cyclosporin completely eliminated the actions of both substances, pointing to the involvement of mitochondria in the pharmacological actions of escin and HCE.

Получение экстракта каштана конского с 50 % содержанием эсцина и его действие на пролиферацию опухолевых клеток и изолированные митохондрии

Эсцин-содержащие экстракты каштана конского в различных лекарственных формах широко используются как венотонизирующие средства, механизм действия которых и внутриклеточная мишень до сих пор не установлены. При этом эсцин применяется как активная субстанция для увеличения проницаемости мембран в экспериментах, а в последнее время установлено его цитотоксическое действие на ряд опухолевых клеточных линий. С целью повышения процентного содержания активной фармацевтической субстанции эсцина в лекарственных формах и для изучения его механизма действия был получен экстракт каштана конского (ЭКК) с 50 % содержанием эсцина. При сравнении цитотоксического действия на культуру опухолевых клеток HeLa было показано, что ЭКК и препарат сравнения эсцин в одинаковых массовых концентрациях проявляют одинаковый цитотоксический эффект. В концентрации 0,003 мг/мл оба вещества ингибируют жизнеспособность клеток HeLa более чем на 80 % в течение 24 ч. При уменьшении концентрации в 4 раза цитотоксический эффект не наблюдается. В эквивалентных цитотоксических концентрациях действие эсцина и ЭКК было изучено на изолированных митохондриях. Показано, что оба вещества увеличивают проницаемость мембраны митохондрий, вызывая их набухание, снижают кальциевую емкость митохондрий и индуцируют открытие митохондриальной поры (MPTP). Открытие МРТР приводит к клеточной гибели. Эсцин вызывает медленное и необратимое набухание митохондрий, ЭКК — быстрое и обратимое. Ингибитор MPTP — циклоспорин — полностью снимает действие обоих веществ, что указывает на участие митохондрий в реализации фармакологического действия эсцина и ЭКК.

Effect of Horse-chestnut seed extract on matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -9 during diabetic wound healing.

The effects of aqueous-ethanol extract of Horse chestnut (HCE) on MMP-1 and MMP-9 expressions during cutaneous wound healing in diabetic rats were investigated in this study. The expressions of MMP-1 and MMP-9, wound closure, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, hydroxyproline, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in wound tissue were measured. Quercetin glucuronide in HCE was identified as main compound using a LC-MS/MS. The hydroxyproline level was significantly increased in the treated group versus control after the 3rd and 7th days (p<0.05). The MDA level and MPO activity were significantly lower in the treatment group (p<0.05). MMP-1 gene expression level in treated rats was increased in the 7th day while it was reduced in 14th day. MMP-9 gene expression level in treated rats was decreased in 7th, and 14th days compared to control (p<0.05). These results show that HCE accelerated the cutaneous wound-healing process in diabetic rats via MMP-1 and MMP-9 regulation. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The main function of MMPs is to degrade and deposite the various components of the extracellular matrix. Also, they participate physiological processes such as inflammation, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling. Horse chestnut seeds (HC) are known to be rich in saponins and flavonoids. HC are used for the treatment of abdominal pain, stomach ache, cold, hemorrhoids, arterial stiffness, rheumatism, oedema, diarrhea, chronic venous insufficiency and also as an antihemorrhagic and antipyretic in traditional medicine. It has been shown that HC has anti-inflammatory, antioedema, vessel protective, and free radical scavenging properties. This study indicates that HCE could be an effective agent for wound healing in diabetic wound model via its ability to suppress the MMP-9 gene expression and regulates MMP-1 gene expression besides its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory effects.

Varicose veins and occupational health: symptoms, treatment and prevention.

ABSTRACT |The aim of the present study was to perform a literature review about the symptoms, treatment and prevention of varicose veins (VV) within the occupational medicine setting. I reviewed scientific articles, books, master’s and doctoral dissertations and synthesized the results of quantitative and qualitative studies. I further retrieved information from Brazilian federal government occupational health websites. The time frame considered was the period from 2004 through 2018. VV are abnormally dilated, twisted and congested veins caused by prolonged peripheral venous hypertension and chronic venous insufficiency. VV most commonly involve the lower limbs in association with static posture and continuous contraction which exhaust the muscles, especially among individuals who remain standing over long periods of time. VV are associated with risk factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle and hormones. Symptoms include feelings of tiredness, pain and swelling. When untreated VV might result in venous ulcers. Occupational physicians should promote changes in the workers’ lifestyle, particularly as concerns physical activity (stretching and walking), local massage and elevating the lower limbs - feet about 15 cm above the heart level, and prescribe compression stockings or bandages, and medications such as diosmin, calcium dobesilate, rutosides and horse chestnut extract.

Abstract A28: Beta-escin inhibits ovarian cancer metastasis by targeting the tumor microenvironment

Abstract The high mortality rate that results from ovarian cancer (OvCa) is caused by the wide dissemination of cancer cells within the abdominal cavity. OvCa cells metastasize to the peritoneum, which is covered by a single layer of mesothelial cells, and invade into the underlying stroma, composed of extracellular matrices including fibronectin (FN) and stromal cells such as fibroblasts. Using a three-dimensional organotypic quantitative high-throughput screening platform (3D-qHTS) modeling the peritoneum, we discovered that beta-escin inhibited OvCa adhesion and invasion to the peritoneum. Beta-escin is a natural triterpenoid saponin from Chinese horse chestnut seeds and has a variety of known pharmacologic effects. We hypothesize that beta-escin targets both the cancer cells and the stromal cells to inhibit the metastatic niche. The therapeutic effects of beta-escin and horse chestnut seed extract were tested in vivo using xenograft and syngeneic models of OvCa prevention and intervention. The mechanisms of beta-escin action in cancer cells and microenvironmental cells was explored in vitro using OvCa cell lines and primary human mesothelial cells and fibroblasts, and in vivo using different mouse models of metastasis. Moreover, a collection of 160 analogs of beta-escin were gathered and screened using our 3D-qHTS platform for inhibitory activity in OvCa cell adhesion/invasion. Our results reveal that beta-escin and horse chestnut extract taken orally inhibit metastasis in both OvCa prevention and intervention models. In addition, beta-escin mechanistically depresses the pluripotent stem cell population, inflammatory cytokine secretion, HIF-1alpha expression, and fibronectin production, while it increases autophagy in the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, three distant analogs of beta-escin inhibited OvCa metastasis, and all three are cardiac glycosides. Taken together, we reveal a potential therapeutic value for beta-escin and/or analogs of beta-escin in preventing and treating OvCa dissemination. Citation Format: Hilary A. Kenny, Madhu Lal, Min Shen, Betul Kara, Chun-Yi Chiang, Karen Watters, Peter Hart, Marc Ferrer, Ernst Lengyel. Beta-escin inhibits ovarian cancer metastasis by targeting the tumor microenvironment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Conference: Addressing Critical Questions in Ovarian Cancer Research and Treatment; Oct 1-4, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2018;24(15_Suppl):Abstract nr A28.

ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ СТАБІЛЬНОСТІ ТА ВИЗНАЧЕННЯ УМОВ ЗБЕРІГАННЯ І ТЕРМІНУ ПРИДАТНОСТІ МАЗІ «ЕСТАН»

Мета роботи. Дослідження стабільності мазі «Естан» в процесі зберігання та визначення умов і терміну придатності. Матеріали і методи. Об’єктом досліджень була мазь «Естан» для лікування геморою, що містить у гідрофільній поліетиленоксидній основі лідокаїну гідрохлорид та екстракти кори дуба і насіння каштану кінського. У процесі зберігання дослідних зразків мазі за допомогою фізичних, фізико-хімічних, фармако-технологічних і мікробіологічних методів визначали такі показники відповідно до вимог Державної Фармакопеї України (ДФУ): зовнішній вигляд, однорідність, масу вмісту контейнера та його герметичність, рН, розмір часток, кількісний вміст таніну, есцину, лідокаїну гідрохлориду та консервантів, мікробіологічну чистоту.Результати й обговорення. Результати проведених досліджень показали, що мазь «Естан» є стабільною при зберіганні у сухому, захищеному від світла прохолодному місці протягом 2 років. Зберігання при кімнатній температурі приводило до незначного підвищення рН.Висновки. Проведено дослідження стабільності мазі «Естан» для лікування геморою в процесі зберігання. Експериментально доведено, що всі показники якості препарату відповідають вимогам проекту методик контролю якості. Встановлено режим зберігання мазі «Естан» - у сухому темному прохолодному місці протягом 2 років.

Erratum to: High optoelectronic and antimicrobial performances of green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles using Aesculus hippocastanum

Nanosized materials are of increasing interest due to their optical and electrical properties. In particular, the semiconductor ZnO has a wide band gap of 3.3 eV, which is abundant in nature and is eco-friendly. Green synthesis of nanomaterials is simple, non-toxic and adapted to large-scale production. Here we synthesized ZnO nanoparticles using the fruit shell extract of horse chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum. ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission-scanning electron microscopy. XRD patterns were indexed on the basis of an hexagonal structure, and the pattern indicates high crystalline quality with very well-defined high intensity peaks. The grain sizes ranged between 50 and 100 nm. Ultraviolet–visible data show that ZnO nanoparticles have a high optical transparency of 70–86%. In addition, the bactericidal effect of ZnO nanoparticles was observed against Bacillus thuringiensis.

Natural Substances as New Potential Strategies for the Treatment of Leishmaniosisin Dogs

Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by the protozoan parasites Leishmania, infecting numerous mammal species. Canine leishmaniasis is potentially zoonotic and causes severe fatal disease in dogs. The discovery of new natural products extracted from medicinal plants or compounds derived from them, such as quercetin, hesperidin, vitamin c, horse chestnut extract and selenium could represent a valuable source of new medicinal agents for treating leishmaniasis in dogs.

Efficacy of horse chestnut leaf extract ALH-L1005 as a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor in ligature-induced periodontitis in canine model.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are the main proteinases associated with periodontal tissue destruction and remodeling. Therefore, inhibition of host-derived MMPs has a key role in the prevention and reduction of periodontitis progression. Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) extracts have been used as treatments for inflammatory disease, traditionally. This study assessed the clinical effect as a MMP inhibitor of horse chestnut leaf extract ALH-L1005 on periodontitis. ALH-L1005 was obtained from horse chestnut leaf and its MMP inhibitory activities estimated. Periodontitis was induced in beagles assigned to 4 groups and medicated for 6 weeks: low dose test (LT; ALH-L1005, 100 mg/kg/day), high dose test (HT; ALH-L1005, 200 mg/kg/day), positive control (PC; doxycycline, 10 mg/kg/day), or negative control (NC; placebo). Before and after administration, clinical indices of the teeth and MMP quantity in gingival tissues using zymography were measured. Clinical conditions of the LT, HT, and PC groups were significantly improved after 6 weeks. In zymographic evaluations, gelatinolytic and caseinolytic activities were suppressed in LT, HT, and PC groups but not in the NC group. The results suggest that ALH-L1005 could be an effective agent for clinical prevention and treatment of periodontitis by inhibiting the gelatinase and collagenase activities, which can detach periodontal ligaments from alveolar bone.

Spectral study of modified natural clinoptilolite with pharmacologically active escin and horse chestnut extract

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was preparation of modified forms of natural zeolite of the clinoptilolite type with different content of pharmacologically active natural substances escin and horse chestnut extract and their characterization by infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, thermal analysis, röntgen diffraction powder technique, and determination of the surface areas and the pore volumes by low-temperature adsorption of nitrogen. Escin and horse chestnut extract have also been investigated by atomic force microscopy. The analyses confirmed the presence of escin and horse chestnut extract in the modified zeolitic products. The modified forms of natural zeolite of the clinoptilolite type with low content of escin and horse chestnut extract have been used for preliminary in vitro study of their anticancer effects on cancer cell lines by an in vitro colorimetric assay for assessing cell viability. To understand the growth inhibitory effects, the human cervical carcinoma cells, human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, breast cancer cells, human alveolar basal epithelial cells, and human breast adenocarcinoma cells were treated with various doses of the modified zeolitic products. The modified forms were the most effective in adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells.

Development and assessment of efficacy of an anti-cellulite formulation containing bentonite from Porto Santo Island

Clays are part of the natural resources that have become prominent in cosmetic treatments and wellness. The relevant physical, chemical and thermal properties of bentonite clay from Serra de Dentro, Porto Santo Island, allow its use in cosmetic and therapeutic applications. In this work we developed an anticellulite gel formulation containing 10% of Ivy extract, 10% of Horse Chestnut Extract and 20% of Bentonite clay (Smectitic), dee <180 m, from Porto Santo Island. After physicochemical characterization of the formulation, efficacy tests were performed on volunteers who had gynoid hydrolipodystrophy, commonly referred as cellulite.

Antiproliferative and Antiangiogenic Properties of Horse Chestnut Extract

This study was designed to examine the in vitro antiproliferative effect of the horse chestnut extract (HCE) on cancer cell lines. Furthermore, we have investigated the in vitro effect of HCE on some angiogenic events by using human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The cell proliferation was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and anchorage-independent growth by colony-forming assay. To understand the growth inhibitory effects, carcinoma cell lines (Jurkat, CEM, HeLa, and MCF-7) were treated with various concentrations of HCE. Incubation of Jurkat, CEM, HeLa, and MCF-7 cancer cells with HCE at 125 µg/mL for 72 h caused 93.7%, 32.3%, 20.4% and 40.4% reduction in cell survival. Colony-forming assay also confirmed growth-inhibitory effects of the compound studied. In HeLa HCE-treated cells, we found a significant increase in cells having sub-G(0) /G(1) DNA content which is considered to be a marker of apoptotic cell death. Apoptosis was also further confirmed by DNA fragmentation analysis.Furthermore, HCE inhibited migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells as well as decreased secretion of matrix metalloproteinase and vascular endothelial growth factor.In conclusion, the present study has assessed the in vitro antiproliferative/antiangiogenic potential of HCE. These results generate a rationale for in vivo efficacy studies with horse chestnut in preclinical cancer models.

Horse chestnut extract contracts bovine vessels and affects human platelet aggregation through 5‐HT2A receptors: an in vitro study

Extract from seeds and bark of horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L) is used as an herbal medicine against chronic venous insufficiency. The effect and mechanism of action on veins, arteries, and platelets are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of action of horse chestnut on the contraction of bovine mesenteric veins and arteries, and human platelet aggregation. Contraction studies showed that horse chestnut extract dose-dependently contracted both veins and arteries, with the veins being the most sensitive. Contraction of both veins and arteries were significantly inhibited by the 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonist ketanserin. No effect on contraction was seen with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin, the alpha(1) receptor antagonist prazosin or the angiotensin AT(1) receptor antagonist saralasin neither in veins nor arteries. ADP-induced human platelet aggregation was significantly reduced by horse chestnut. A further reduction was seen with the extract in the presence of ketanserin. In conclusion, horse chestnut contraction of both veins and arteries is, at least partly, mediated through 5-HT(2A) receptors. Human platelet aggregation is reduced by horse chestnut. The clinical importance of these findings concerning clinical use, possible adverse effects, and drug interactions remains to be investigated.