Horse Chestnut Seed (aescin, Aesculaforce, aesculus hippocastanum, chestnut, de marronier d'Inde, eschilo, escine, graine de marronier d'Inde, HCSE, hippocastani semen, marron europeen, marronier, rosskastanie, Spanish chestnut, venastat, venostat, venostatin, Venostasin)
Classes: Cardiovascular, Herbals
Suggested dosing of aescin, Aesculaforce (horse chestnut seed)
Seed Extract
250-750 mg/d PO in div doses
Tincture
1-4 ml PO TId
Other Information
Extract standardized to 20-22% saponins
Suggested uses of aescin, Aesculaforce (horse chestnut seed)
Diarrhea, fever, hemorrhoids, phlebitis, prostate enlargement, varicose veins, venous insufficiency
aescin, Aesculaforce (horse chestnut seed) adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
Anaphylaxis (IV)
GI irritation
Itching
Kidney toxicity (IV)
Liver toxicity (IV)
Toxic nephropathy
Depression
Diarrhea
Incoordination
Muscle twitching
Paralysis
Pupil dilation
Stupor
Vomiting
Weakness
Warnings
Contraindications
Hepatitic impairment, infectious GI conditions, inflammatory GI conditions, renal impairment
Cautions
Bleeding disorders, concurrent hypoglycemic agents, diabetes mellitus
WARNING: use only standardized seed extract; raw seed, leaf, bark, or flower possibly fataL
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: raw seed unsafe; avoid use
Lactation: avoid use
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of aescin, Aesculaforce (horse chestnut seed)
Metabolism: N/A
Excretion: N/A
Mechanism of action
Saponins: aescin: vasoconstrictor; aesculin (a hydroxycoumarin)- antithrombin activity
