Esculin is found in barley. Vitamin C2 is generally considered a bioflavonoid, related to vitamin P esculin is a glucoside that naturally occurs in the horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), California Buckeye (Aesculus California) and in daphnin (the dark green resin of Daphne mezereum). Esculin belongs to the family of Glycosyl Compounds. These are carbohydrate derivatives in which a sugar group is bonded through its anomeric carbon to another group via a C-, S-, N-,O-, or Se- glycosidic bond.
Esculin is a hydroxycoumarin that is the 6-O-beta-D-glucoside of esculetin. It has a role as an antioxidant and a metabolite. It is a beta-D-glucoside and a hydroxycoumarin. It derives from an esculetin.
Synonyms
- 6-(beta-D-Glucopyranosyloxy)-7-hydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one
- 6-(beta-D-Glucopyranosyloxy)-7-hydroxy-cumarin
- 6,7-Dihydroxycoumarin 6-glucoside
- 6,7-Dihydroxycoumarin-6-O-glucoside
- Aesculin
- Aesculinum
- Esculetin 6-O-glucoside
- esculetin 6-β-D-glucoside
- Esculin
- Esculoside
Mechanism of Action of Esculin
The main activities of Esculine focus on capillary protection, as it improves capillary permeability and fragility. It is reported to inhibit catabolic enzymes such as hyaluronidase and collagenase, thus preserving the integrity of the perivascular connective tissue. Masculine also showed good antioxidant properties, protecting triglycerides against auto-oxidation at high temperatures. The antioxidant property might as well explain some of the anti-inflammatory activity of the product, making it a suitable product for after-sun treatments, for example.
Indications of Esculin
- As a medication, esculin is sometimes used as a vasoprotective agent. Esculin is also used in a microbiology laboratory to aid in the identification of bacterial species (especially Enterococci and Listeria), as all strains of Group D Streptococci hydrolyze æsculin in 40% bile.
- Topically applied Esculine increases the “capillary density” (the number of capillaries open to flow per surface unit) and improves the morphological aspect of the smallest blood vessels.
