beta-escin and Lymphedema

In a randomized placebo controlled parallel double blind study on 40 patients suffering from venous edema in chronic deep vein incompetence, the edema-reducing effect of horse chestnut seed extract vs. placebo, being the main test variable, was demonstrated by hydroplethysmography to be statistically significant. In addition, measurements of leg volume under aggravated conditions (edema provocation) were conducted, which yielded the same results. Additional measurements of leg circumference tendentially confirm the demonstrated clinical efficacy of verum, as is true for phlebody-namometric measurements (pressure at rest, minimum pressure, replenishment time) as well. By measuring the leg volume before and after edema provocation, it could be shown that the clinical benefit for the patient is present in all everyday situations (in movement as well as on sitting or standing). Treatment with an edema protective agent of the horse chestnut seed extract type is thus a useful adjunct to compression therapy. The tested preparation were well tolerated.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Double-Blind Method; Escin; Exercise Test; Female; Humans; Lymphedema; Male; Middle Aged; Tissue Extracts; Venous Insufficiency

Topics: Adult; Double-Blind Method; Drug Combinations; Escin; Female; Humans; Lymphedema; Plant Extracts; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Venous Insufficiency

Within the framework of a case observation study involving more than 800 general practitioners, more than 5,000 patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) were treated with standardised horse chestnut extract and followed up at regular intervals. The evolution of the symptoms, tolerability and adverse drug reactions were recorded. All of the symptoms investigated-pain, tiredness, tension and swelling in the leg, as well as itching and the tendency towards edema-all improved markedly or disappeared completely. The results of this study show that rational treatment with horse chestnut extract represents an economical, practice-relevant therapeutic "pillar", which in comparison with compression has the additional advantage of better compliance.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Combinations; Escin; Female; Humans; Lymphedema; Male; Middle Aged; Plant Extracts; Venous Insufficiency

Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Blood Proteins; Capillary Permeability; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Escin; Humans; Lymphedema

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bandages; Escin; Extremities; Female; Heparin; Humans; Lymphedema; Male; Middle Aged; Phosphatidylcholines; Pressure; Rutin; Saponins

Lymphoedema of the upper limb is the most serious and most crippling complication of mastectomy. An account is given of the factors possibly responsible, and a classification of the different forms is proposed. When fibrosis has set in, treatment is followed by very disappointing results, being at best able to bring about a partial, but transitory reduction in limb volume and consistency. Reference is also made to results obtained in 70 cases with two substances, 1-thyroxine and escine (somatoline), applied by massotherapy in postural drainage, ionophoresis, and pressotherapy, according to the requirements of each case. The results were distinctly satisfactory, though the outstanding fact was the maintenance of the response throughout many follow-up controls. It is felt, therefore, that somatoline can be usefully given in cyclic form, both in cases treated in an early stage, and also in all patients were lymphoedema is a likely risk after mastectomy.

Topics: Arm; Drainage; Escin; Female; Humans; Iontophoresis; Lymphangitis; Lymphedema; Massage; Mastectomy; Obesity; Posture; Saponins; Thyroxine