Division of Drug Research/Pharmacology, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden.
Phytother Res. 2010 Sep;24(9):1297-301. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3103.
Extract from seeds and bark of horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L) is used as an herbal medicine against chronic venous insufficiency. The effect and mechanism of action on veins, arteries, and platelets are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of action of horse chestnut on the contraction of bovine mesenteric veins and arteries, and human platelet aggregation. Contraction studies showed that horse chestnut extract dose-dependently contracted both veins and arteries, with the veins being the most sensitive. Contraction of both veins and arteries were significantly inhibited by the 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonist ketanserin. No effect on contraction was seen with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin, the alpha(1) receptor antagonist prazosin or the angiotensin AT(1) receptor antagonist saralasin neither in veins nor arteries. ADP-induced human platelet aggregation was significantly reduced by horse chestnut. A further reduction was seen with the extract in the presence of ketanserin. In conclusion, horse chestnut contraction of both veins and arteries is, at least partly, mediated through 5-HT(2A) receptors. Human platelet aggregation is reduced by horse chestnut. The clinical importance of these findings concerning clinical use, possible adverse effects, and drug interactions remains to be investigated.
从七叶树（马栗树）的种子和树皮中提取的物质被用作治疗慢性静脉功能不全的草药。其对静脉、动脉和血小板的作用和作用机制尚未完全阐明。本研究的目的是研究七叶树提取物对牛肠系膜静脉和动脉收缩以及人血小板聚集的影响及其作用机制。收缩研究表明，七叶树提取物剂量依赖性地收缩静脉和动脉，其中静脉最为敏感。5-HT（2A）受体拮抗剂酮色林显著抑制静脉和动脉的收缩。在静脉和动脉中，环氧化酶抑制剂吲哚美辛、α（1）受体拮抗剂哌唑嗪或血管紧张素 AT（1）受体拮抗剂沙卡林均对收缩无影响。七叶树提取物显著降低 ADP 诱导的人血小板聚集。在存在酮色林的情况下，提取物的进一步减少。总之，七叶树对静脉和动脉的收缩至少部分是通过 5-HT（2A）受体介导的。七叶树降低人血小板聚集。关于临床应用、可能的不良反应和药物相互作用的这些发现的临床重要性仍有待研究。
