Pharmacotherapy of chronic venous diseases What do we know about horse chestnut extract?

V.Yu. Bogachev, B.V. Boldin, M.R. Kuznetsov, S.V. Rodionov

Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow

Chronic venous disease (CVD) of the lower extremities is the most common cardiovascular disease, occurring in more than half of the industrialized countries adult population. Veno-specific symptoms and syndromes significantly reduce the social activity of patients with CVD and their life quality. Nowadays, phlebotropic agents are considered as a mandatory component of complex treatment and rehabilitation of patients with CVD along with lifestyle modification and compression therapy. Horse chestnut extract and preparations from it have been used for a long time in clinical practice for wide indications, the most frequent of which are chronic vein diseases of the lower extremities. A combined venoactive drug Aescusan is registered in the Russian Federation, the active substances of which are horse chestnut extract and thiamine hydrochloride. Aescusan provides comprehensive phleboprotectiv e action including anti-edematous, anti-inflammatory and venotonic effects. The latter is due to improved transport of calcium ions into the slow channels of vessel wall smooth muscle cells. Aescusan anti-inflammatory effect can be explained by the blockade of the prostaglandin F2 release from the venous wall endothelium, antagonism with 5-hydroxytryptamine and histamine, as well as by a decrease in the tissue mucopolysaccharides catabolism. Decongestant drug effect is associated with an improvement in the endothelium function of the venous capillaries. Thus, Aescusan has a pluripotent effect on various pathogenetic CVD mechanisms. Good tolerability and administration convenience allow the widespread use of Aescusan in patients with various CVD forms and their complications.

Keywords: chronic venous disease, aescin, horse chestnut extract, thiamin, Aescusan.

For citation: Bogachev V.Yu., Boldin B.V., Kuznetsov M.R., Rodionov S.V. Pharmacotherapy of chronic venous diseases What do we know about horse chestnut extract? RMJ. 2019;8(II):94–97.