Topical antiinflammatory activity of complexes of escin and sterols with phospholipids. Part I.

Some triterpenic saponins are used by epicutaneous application for the treatment of superficial vascular disorders due to oedematous conditions secondary to venous disease or traumatic damage. Among these compounds, Escin, the active constituent of the seeds of Aesculus hippocastanum, is widely used alone and in combination with other drugs, in spite of the tolerability problems related to its irritant action which is shared by many substances of this class. The formation of a complex of these compounds with cholesterol or with vegetal phytosterols and phospholipids results in improved bioavailability of the saponin and in simultaneous attenuation of its undesired effects, to the extent that applications in dermocosmetology have now become possible.