Update - Horsechestnut seed extract may accelerate wound healing

VOL: 102, ISSUE: 16, PAGE NO: 37

Horsechestnut seed extract may help to heal venous leg ulcers, according to a study carried out in Australia. It included 54 patients with a venous leg ulcer.

Horsechestnut seed extract may help to heal venous leg ulcers, according to a study carried out in Australia. It included 54 patients with a venous leg ulcer.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of orally administered horsechestnut seed extract in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. The extract attenuates the pathogenesis of chronic venous insufficiency, which is a precursor of venous leg ulceration.

The 54 patients were randomly allocated to receive horsechestnut seed extract (n=27) or placebo (n=27) for 12 weeks.

The ulcers were assessed at weeks zero, four, eight and 12 using a wound assessment tool and the Alfred-Medseed Wound Imaging System.

The difference between groups in the number of healed venous leg ulcers, change in wound surface area, depth, volume, pain and exudate, was not statistically significant. However, the extract did have a significant effect on the percentage of wound slough over time, and on the number of dressing changes at week 12.

Journal of Wound Care(2006) 15: 4, 159-167.