Aescin or Escin is a mixture of saponins with anti-inflammatory, vasoconstrictor and vasoprotective effects found in Aesculus hippocastanum/indica (the horse chestnut). Aescin is the main active compound in horse chestnut and is responsible for most of its medicinal properties such as venotonic effect, treatment of cellulitism, vascular disorder, cosmetics for prevention, anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging properties.
Aescin is described chemically as 6-[[9-acetyloxy-8-hydroxy-4,8a-bis(hydroxymethyl)-4,6a,6b,11,11,14b-hexamethyl-10-(2-methylbut-2-enoyloxy)-1,2,3,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,12a,14, 14a-tetradecahydropicen-3-yl]oxy]-4-hydroxy-3,5-bis[[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl) oxan-2-yl]oxy]oxane-2-carboxylic acid. Its molecular formula is C55H86O24, its molecular weight is 1131.26.
Aescin exists as a white or whitish powder that is soluble in Methanol and sparingly soluble in Water. Its melting point is about 225°C.
