Background:
Aescin or β-escin is the main and active constituent of horse chestnut
seed (Aesculus hippocastanum) used for the treatment of inflammatory edema, venous insufficiency
and ischemic ulcerations. Aescin has many actions due to induction of endothelial
nitric oxide and prostaglandin F2-α production moreover; aescin antagonizes the effect of histamine
and 5HT at receptor levels.
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Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the neurobehavioral effects of aescin
on normal healthy volunteers.
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Method: A total number of 65 healthy participants with mean age of 21+1.1 years were recruited
to study the effects of aescin on the neurobehavioral effects of normal healthy volunteers
compared to placebo. The neurobehavioral effects were assessed by psychomotor performances
and sensorimotor reaction, cortical arousal and central integrity processes and assessment
of memory capacity.
Results:
Placebo produced insignificant amelioration of TRT and RRT p>0.05, with mild
significant effect on MRT p=0.03. Aescin produced a significant effect in the amelioration of
psychomotor performances and sensorimotor reaction p=0.0001. Regarding the differential
effect of placebo and aescin on the cortical arousal and central integrity processes, placebo illustrated
insignificant effect at p>0.05 whereas; aescin showed mild significant effect on Critical
Fusion Frequency (CFFA) p<0.05 and highly significant effect on the other parameters
p<0.01 except for critical-fusion frequency threshold when aescin illustrated insignificant effect
at p>0.05. Aescin illustrated significant acceleration of ІІ-back WMA, ІІІ-back WMA
and Second trial Short-Term Memory (STM) at p<0.01 compared to the placebo effect.
Conclusion:
Short-term therapy with aescin improves the neurobehavioral effects on healthy
volunteers.
Integration of Evidence to Evaluate the Potential for Neurobehavioral Effects Following Exposure to USFDA-Approved Food Colors
