Standardization of liquid aqueous and aqueous-alcoholic extracts from Aesculus hippocastanum L. flowers

Introduction. Phytotherapy represents an integrative method for disease prevention and treatment using complexes of biologically active substances (BAS) of plant origin. Aesculus hippocastanum L. is recognized as a valuable source of plant material: its seeds are used in evidence-based medicine for venous insufficiency treatment, while flowers are utilized in traditional practice due to their pronounced venotonic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hypolipidemic properties. This establishes Aesculus hippocastanum L. flowers as promising medicinal plant raw material (MPRM) with substantial therapeutic potential. Liquid dosage forms (LDF) based on MPRM possess multiple advantages ensuring their demand in pharmaceutical practice and among consumers. Accordingly, developing new domestic phytopreparations as infusions, tinctures, and liquid extracts from these flowers with potential venotonic, capillary-protective, and antioxidant effects constitutes a relevant direction in pharmacy.

Aim. To obtain and standardize experimental laboratory samples of aqueous and aqueous-alcoholic extracts from Aesculus hippocastanum L. flowers for the subsequent substantiation of the optimal liquid dosage form.

Materials and methods. A comparative study of aqueous and aqueous-alcoholic extracts from Aesculus hippocastanum L. harvested in the Voronezh Region during the flowering period of 2024 was conducted for infusions (1 : 10), tinctures (1 : 5) prepared by maceration, fractional maceration, and percolation methods, and liquid extract (1 : 1) according to the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation, XV edition (GPM.1.4.1.0019 «Tinctures», GPM.1.4.1.0021 «Extracts», GPM.1.4.1.0018 «Infusions and decoctions»). For the obtained LDF laboratory samples, identification and quantitative determination methods for flavonoids, saponins, and antioxidants were developed with yield assessment relative to raw material content, alongside standardization by «Description», «Dry residue», «Ethyl alcohol», and «Heavy metals» parameters per relevant GPM requirements.

Results and discussion. Experimental aqueous and hydroalcoholic LDF samples (infusion, tinctures, liquid extract) based on Aesculus hippocastanum L. flowers were obtained and standardized according to regulatory documentation requirements. Methods for quantitative determination of target BAS groups – flavonoids, saponins, antioxidant activity, and total antioxidants expressed as ascorbic acid – were developed. The liquid extract (1 : 1) showed the highest content of antioxidants, flavonoids, and saponins, recommending it as the optimal form among those studied.

Conclusion. Aesculus hippocastanum L. flowers represent promising MPRM for developing effective and safe domestic phytopreparations. Due to high BAS concentration, liquid extract is recommended as an oral dosage form and component of topical semisolid dosage forms, aligning with current phlebotonic drug market trends.

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