Horse chestnut Benefits
How Horse chestnut benefits were found?
Balkan Peninsula is the native place of Horse chestnut, which is a rapidly growing tree. This tree also is known as buckeye, as it belongs to a similar family (Hippocastanaceae) like other buckeyes and different from other chestnut trees which usually belong to the Castanea family. It has a belief that the name of this tree is horse chestnut because it has similar brown colored conkers like other chestnuts and in autumn when the leaves are detached and fall then a horseshoe-shaped mark left on the twig.
In traditional medicinal practice, an extract prepared from the seed of horse chestnut is recommended for multiple diseases, including gastrointestinal disorders, joint pain symptoms, including rheumatism, fever, leg cramps, bladder disorder, hemorrhoid, rectal complaints.
Not only the traditional medicinal system, but Horse chestnut seed extract is also used as dietary supplements in European countries for chronic venous insufficiency, post-operative edema, skin cleanser, and hemorrhoids treatment. Its benefits are not only restricted in European countries but currently, Americans also used Horse chestnut seed extract to treat venous insufficiency and edema treatment. The topical preparation of Horse chestnut is applied on the skin sores develop due to venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency is the condition associated with blockage of lower leg veins unable to send blood back to the heart. Bark and leaf of this tree also used in medicinal purposes, but seed and seed extract are widely used. [1,2]
What are the phytochemicals present in Horse chestnut?
Aescin is the primary phytochemical present in horse chestnut seed extract. Two triterpene saponins α and β are blended and form aescin. Other phytochemicals are quercetin and kaempferol two bioflavonoids, aesculin, coumarins fraxin, and an antioxidant like proanthocyanidin A2. [2]
What is the Mode of action of Horse chestnut health benefits?
In 1960, Lorenz and Marek had first discovered that the horse chestnut extract containing aescin has anti-edematous and vasoprotective properties. The β-aescin is the active component in the saponin mixture of two forms of aescin. In different horse chestnut seed extract containing pharmaceutical products formulated for venous insufficiency treatment contain β-aescin as an active ingredient. The mode of action involves in horse chestnut extract include reduction of vascular permeability, which may responsible for venotonic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-edematous effect. [2]
Horse chestnut seed extract has a “sealing effect” at the site of injury. Application of this herbal remedy can induce venous contractility by enhancing calcium ion sensitization, reduction of venous permeability. Thus it provides a venotonic effect. The active phytochemical Aescin responsible for the hypoxic condition of the affected part, reduction of white blood cell adherence, and activation at the site of edema to inhibit edema and protect the blood vessels. The hypoxic condition of the affected site also reduces the ATP level in the endothelium. All together these mechanisms reduce the swelling and edema due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effect. [2]
What are the different forms of Horse chestnut?
Since 30 years of horse chestnut containing therapeutic dosage forms are available in the different European states.
- A 20% tincture of horse chestnut containing an ointment is marketed in Germany for improving the tired leg condition. The application instruction stated that topical application on the affected area with gentle massage for once, twice or thrice daily depending upon the patient’s condition provides significant benefits.
- A topical ointment available in Austria contains 760 mg aescin per 100 g ointment recommended for leg pain, heavy legs, varicosis, pruritus. It needs to apply several times a day on the affected parts to improve the condition.
- Some traditional dosage forms of horse chestnuts include a dry extract of horse chestnut, tincture, etc. These dosage forms are a useful remedy for minor circulatory disorders, cutaneous symptoms, skin bruises, edema, and hematoma.
- Since 1900, horse chestnut seeds alcoholic extracts have been used for venotonic effects. Different topical or externally applied horse chestnut products (aescin 1%) are applied for contusions, sport injuries associated with edema, non-penetrating wounds.
- Aescin as an active ingredient of the medicinal product also recommended orally and topically as a preventive measure and/or pre-treatment of peripheral vascular disorders to reduce the risk of post-operative edema and traumatic inflammation. [3]
Horse Chestnut Uses
Chronic venous insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) has three stages. Initially, edema occurs, which gradually turns to varicose veins characterized by skin discoloration along with edema and lastly leg ulcer is significant.
A compression stocking is a conventional treatment for CVI. Surgical intervention may require in worsening conditions. Horse chestnut seed extract is equally effective as compression stocking. This herbal therapy triggers the blood circulation above the leg. The clinical trial result also supported that Horse chestnut seed extract reduces the liquid volume in the leg compartment and edema is significantly reduced. It also provides symptomatic relief like leg pain, itching, fatigue, and tenseness compared to placebo. A human trial conducted in the United States also reported the efficacy of Horse chestnut seed extract is similar to compression therapy. [2]
Varicose veins
This is the second stage of chronic venous insufficiency. A meta-analysis of five clinical trial results reported that combination therapy of oral and topical administration of Horse chestnut seed extract containing aescin is effective to reduce blue discoloration of the skin, pain, heaviness in the leg, edema. [2]
Venous stasis ulcers
Untreated chronic venous insufficiency leads to Venous stasis ulcer formation in the lower leg. A clinical trial conducted in Southern Australia has reported 12 weeks of treatment with Horse chestnut seed extract significantly reduces the frequency of requirement of the dressing changes compared with placebo. [2]
Post Operative Edema
Postoperative edema is very common after surgical intervention of the limbs. Immediately after the surgery, the skin temperature at the site of surgery is quite high, which indicates pain, swelling and obstruct blood circulation. Two research results finding showed that intravenous administration of Horse chestnut seed extract can reduce the skin temperature at the site of surgical intervention. An oral dose of aescin in combination therapy with parenteral administration accelerates the healing. [2]
Hemorrhoids
The congestion of internal and external veins in the anal canal leads to Hemorrhoids. Straining defecation, chronic constipation or diarrhea, pregnancy, anal intercourse, and aging. A clinical trial report published in France stated that 40-mg aescin tablet thrice a day for two months is effective to improve acute hemorrhoids. The treatment helps to decrease bleeding after 6 days of the treatment period. [2]
Inner Ear Perfusion
Inner ear perfusion disorder occurs due to insufficient blood circulation in the inner ear. the untreated condition can cause loss of hearing. Researchers found that the combination of aescin, the bioactive phytochemical of horse chestnut and troxerutin can improve the condition. Aescin has anti-inflammatory and venotonic properties; whereas, troxerutin has vasoprotective antioxidant properties. These therapeutic benefits combinely improve the hearing ability of the affected patients. [2]
Horse chestnut Side effects
The adverse effects of horse chestnut are mild. The reported side effects are a headache, dizziness, itching, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Gastrointestinal symptoms usually occur with a higher dose. Aescin application topically may cause allergic reactions in some skin sensitive patients. However, it is a rare incidence. Sensitive skin may cause redness, itching at the site of application. [2]
When should I avoid horse chestnut?
Horse chestnut is not recommended during pregnancy and lactation. [2]
References
