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Escin β-sitosterol Phytosome^®
Microcirculation and orange peel skin condition improver

The therapeutical benefits of Aescin (Escin) are demonstrated by a bunch of scientifical studies assessing its anti-oedema, and vasoactive properties. Escin β-sitosterol Phytosome^® in fact acts principally in capillaries, its mechanism of action being mainly related to the modification of the vascular permeability. It reduces the number and the diameter of the small pores of the capillary walls through which water exchange normally occurs. Escin is obtained from the seeds of the Horse Chestnut tree, which originates from Asia and was first introduced in Europe in the XVIIth century. The fruit is used in traditional medicine and is grinded into a flour which has always been used as a folk cosmetic to make the skin shiny or to make cleaning soaps.

Anti-oedema properties

43 female volunteers suffering from chronic venous stasis aged 1-5 years and oedematous-fibrosclerotic panniculopaty (OEFP, so called “cellulite”) in various regions have been treated with O/W emulsion containing 2% of Escin β-sitosterol Phytosome®(1,2) or placebo. About 1 g of the “active” or “placebo” (same O/W emulsion, without 2% Escin β-sitosterol Phytosome®) ointments has been applied and gently massaged on the skin of the thighs, for 30 days (once a day). The severity of each symptom was evaluated by the researchers with score-values from 0 to 4, before and after the 30-day treatment. Statistically significant improvements were observed after treatment for the majority of the clinical symptoms, which are related to the increase in permeability of the capillaries and of the smallest postcapillary venules of the skin and hypodermis.

In another study, 20 female volunteers, aged 17-64 years with signs of oedematous-fibroplastic panniculopaty of the breast (OEFPB), have been treated with a dermocosmetological preparation containing 2% of Escin β-sitosterol Phytosome^® and other synergistic active principles⁽²⁾.
To study the presence of ischemic (hypothermic) area, this group has been evaluated instrumentally using an “High Performance Contact Termography”. A constant improvement of the thermo-vascular maps, with reduction of the “cold areas” and an increased vasomotility of the smallest skin arteries have been observed; these effects are evident even 30-45 min after the application.

Mechanism of action
Escin β-sitosterol Phytosome^® acts principally in capillaries. Its mechanism of action is mainly related to the modification of the vascular permeability. Escin β-sitosterol Phytosome^® reduces the number and the diameter of the small pores of the capillary walls through which water exchange normally occurs.
The complexation of with β-sitosterol and phospholipids has been demonstrated⁽²⁾ to be effective and at the same time definitely favourable in terms of tolerability, considering that escin per se is considered to have an irritant effect on skin.

Safety Data
A 3% gel of Escin β-sitosterol Phytosome^® was shown not to be sensitizing on human skin (Urbino University, 1989).
No intolerance reactions (irritation and/or allergy) due to the product were observed.

 

1. European Patent: EP 0 283 713.
2. Curri S.B., Bombardelli E., Della Loggia R., Del Negro P., Tubaro A.: “Topical antiinflammatory activity of complexes of aescin and sterols with phospholipids. Part I and II” Fitoterapia Volume LX, Suppl. al N. 1-1989.