In vitro skin permeation of escin in the new gel formulation of Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut)

Abstract

Aesculus hippocastanum L. (Hippocastanaceae) is used in topical pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations by industries. The aim of this work is to develop a new A. hippocastanum product having good stability and better skin permeation compared with the other products on the market. Two new gel formulations were prepared to evaluate escin ex vivo permeation through pig skin by using Franz-type diffusion and to analyse by HPLC. The first gel formulation has contained only A. hippocastanum extract (G1) and the second gel formulation has contained a mixture of A. hippocastanum and M. chamomilla extracts (G2), as active ingredients. The reference gel has escin as active ingredient and it was purchased from a pharmacy. G2 showed significantly better skin permeation ability with good stability compared to G1 and reference gel. Owing to its favourable penetration and stability characteristics the new gel formulation could be an alternative for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency and inflammatory soft tissue inflammation.