Aescusan: pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and therapeutic characteristics

• Main Authors: V. Yu. Bogachev, B. V. Boldin, O. V. Dzhenina
• Format: Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: Remedium Group LTD 2019-04-01
• Series: Амбулаторная хирургия
• Subjects: aescusan; aescin; horse chestnut; chronic vein diseases; hemorrhoids; postoperative edema
• Online Access: https://www.a-surgeon.ru/jour/article/view/132
• ISSN: 2712-8741; 2782-2591

The article  is devoted  to Aescusan, a well-studied preparation that  is traditionally used in clinical practice  for the  treatment of chronic  diseases  of veins,  hemorrhoids, postoperative and post-traumatic edema.  The main  active  substance is aescin  that  is contained in horse  chestnut seed  extract  - Aesculus hippocastanum. The paper  presents data  of a randomized  controlled  study demonstrating the  efficacy of Aescusan in the  treatment of chronic venous  diseases  and chronic venous  edema  along with the compression  therapy.  A number of in vitro and in vivo experimental studies provided convincing proof of efficacy of Aescusan. In particular, they proved the anti-edema, anti-inflammatory and venotonic effect of the preparation. Aescusan improves calcium ions entry into the smooth muscle cell channels  in the vascular wall, which increases  the venous vascular tone.  The anti-inflammatory effect of Aescusan is associated with blockade of prostaglandin F2 (PGF2) release from the venous wall, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and histamine antagonism, decreased  catabolism of tissue  mucopolysaccharides. Conclusion: Aescusan has a pluripotent effect  on various pathogenetic mechanisms  of chronic venous diseases. It is known for its good tolerability and ease of use, which makes it possible  to use the preparation in patients with chronic venous diseases, hemorrhoids, and peripheral post-traumatic edema.