Horse chestnut has a long history of use in traditional medicine. Modern scientific research reveals that its core active ingredient is aescin, a triterpenoid saponin compound. This component is not only a key indicator for evaluating the quality of raw materials and formulations, but also the material basis for its pharmacological efficacy.
Aescin possesses well-defined pharmacological activities. In the venous system, it exerts anti-inflammatory, anti-edema, and venous return-promoting effects by inhibiting serum proteolytic enzymes, stabilizing lysosomal membranes, and reducing capillary permeability. In skin care, aescin protects hyaluronic acid from degradation, inhibits collagenase activity, helps reduce wrinkle formation, enhances skin elasticity, and exhibits excellent antioxidant activity. Furthermore, it effectively promotes microcirculation and shows promising clinical application prospects for brain function recovery.
As a manufacturer of high-purity aescin extract powder, KINTAIBIO® utilizes scientific and controlled extraction and purification technologies to obtain high-standard, low-impurity, and bioactively stable Horse Chestnut Extract powder products. We firmly believe that continuous technological innovation and rigorous process control are fundamental to ensuring product quality and meeting the needs of customers in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and functional food industries.
Making Horse Chestnut Extract: Raw Material Selection and Preparation
KINTAIBIO® has established a strict quality control system from the source to ensure that every batch of horse chestnut seed raw materials meets internal control standards and relevant domestic and international regulations.
Variety Selection
We select high-quality Horse Chestnuts, prioritizing the purchase of mature, plump fruits from authentic producing areas or standardized planting bases. We only use fully mature seeds because immature seeds do not accumulate enough aescin, while overripe or improperly stored raw materials may experience degradation of active ingredients or deterioration in quality.
Quality Inspection
All raw materials undergo rigorous sampling and testing before warehousing. Each batch is inspected for appearance, color, and odor, and raw materials that are moldy, insect-infested, oily, or contain foreign matter are discarded. Heavy metal limits are strictly controlled within the relevant EU and US standards. Pesticide residues are primarily monitored for organochlorine, organophosphorus, and pyrethroid pesticides. Aflatoxin testing ensures the raw materials are free from mold risk.
Pretreatment Stage
First, the hard outer shell and non-medicinal parts are removed, and the kernels are carefully selected, then moderately crushed. The crushed raw material has a uniform particle size and a significantly increased specific surface area, which facilitates sufficient contact between the solvent and the active ingredients during subsequent extraction, thereby improving extraction efficiency.
Making Horse Chestnut Extract Core Extraction and Purification Process
Ethanol Extraction and Degreasing
The first step in the extraction process is ethanol extraction and degreasing. The crushed horse chestnuts are placed in a multi-functional extraction tank, and 6 to 10 times the amount of ether is added for reflux degreasing. The degreasing liquid is discarded. The degreased residue is then collected, and 8 to 15 times the amount of 95% ethanol is added. The ultrasonic-assisted extraction device is turned on, and extraction is performed 2 to 3 times at 40 to 75°C and an ultrasonic frequency of 40 to 60 kHz. After extraction, solid-liquid separation is performed using a tubular centrifuge or disc centrifuge, and the clarified extract is collected.
Activated Carbon Decolorization
Pharmaceutical-grade activated carbon, equivalent to 0.3% to 0.8% of the extract volume, is added to the extract. The mixture is heated under reflux with stirring for 30 to 60 minutes. Activated carbon, with its abundant microporous structure and large specific surface area, can efficiently adsorb pigments, colloids, and some polar non-saponin impurities in the extract. This step is an important pretreatment for obtaining a light-colored or even white final product.
Membrane Separation and Purification
The decolorized solution is first microfiltered through a 0.2-micron ceramic membrane module. Ceramic membranes have the advantages of high temperature resistance, acid and alkali resistance, and easy cleaning and regeneration, and can efficiently retain residual drug residue particles, colloids, and large molecular suspended solids, producing a clear microfiltrate. The microfiltrate is then passed through a hollow composite ultrafiltration membrane with a molecular weight cutoff of 6000-10000, with the operating pressure controlled at 0.5-1 MPa, and the permeate is collected. Membrane separation technology enables molecular-level fractional purification, efficiently removing large molecular impurities such as proteins and polysaccharides, and significantly improving the purity of the extract.
Macroporous Adsorption Resin Chromatography
Concentrate the ultrafiltrate to an alcohol concentration of 15%-20% and load it onto a macroporous adsorption resin column. Suitable resin types include NKA-9, NKA-2, X-5, and D-4006. Elute sequentially with purified water and 60% ethanol, using 3-5 column volumes of eluent at a flow rate of 1-4 BV/h. Collect the 60% ethanol eluent fraction rich in aescin.
Crystallization and Recrystallization
Concentrate the collected Horse Chestnut Extract fraction to 1/5 to 1/15 of its original volume, allow it to stand, and allow crystals to precipitate naturally. Filter to obtain crude crystals. Wash the crude crystals with ether to remove residual organic impurities. Dissolve in acetone, and slowly add a small amount of ether to induce recrystallization. Allow to stand, filter, and collect the crystals. Repeat this process 2-3 times. The final crystals are vacuum dried at 60-85℃ to obtain high-purity Aescin Extract powder.
Aescin Extract Powder Uses
In the pharmaceutical raw material field, Aescin is used as an active pharmaceutical ingredient in the production of drug formulations to improve symptoms related to chronic venous insufficiency, such as relieving lower limb swelling, heaviness, pain, and nocturnal cramps; for treating acute hemorrhoid flare-ups; and for treating soft tissue swelling after surgery or trauma. Dosage forms include oral formulations such as Aescin tablets and Aescin capsules, topical formulations such as Aescin gels and Aescin creams, and injections.
In the cosmetic ingredient field, Aescin exerts its effects through multiple mechanisms. It can inhibit neutrophil activity and the release of inflammatory mediators, reducing skin inflammation; it also inhibits collagenase and hyaluronidase activity, protecting the skin matrix, reducing wrinkle formation, and scavenging free radicals to delay photoaging. Based on these effects, Aescin is widely used in Aescin eye creams, slimming and Aescin firming creams, anti-aging serums, and after-sun repair products.
In the functional food and dietary Aescin supplement sector, it is used as a dietary supplement ingredient to support venous health, improving leg discomfort and maintaining microvascular integrity. Product forms include tablets, hard capsules, soft capsules, and liquid beverages.
Where to buy Aescin Extract powder?
KINTAIBIO® focuses on the research and production of high-purity plant extracts. Our Horse Chestnut Extract powder uses premium Aesculus Hippocastanum raw materials and an advanced ultrasonic-assisted extraction-membrane separation-macroporous resin-recrystallization process, ensuring high stability in content, purity, and active ingredient profiles for each batch. We supply high-quality Aescin Extract powder to global customers, and its stable quality and significant efficacy have earned positive feedback from overseas clients.If you'd like further details, feel free to ask at sales@kintaibio.com!
