Fitofármacos en el tratamiento de la insuficiencia venosa crónica / Phytopharmaceuticals in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency

La insuficiencia venosa crónica (IVC) es uno de los desórdenes vascularesmás comunes. Los principales factores de riesgo son el efectogravitacional sobre la circulación venosa, la edad avanzada, una historiafamiliar de enfermedades venosas, la obesidad y el embarazo.También inciden las condiciones de trabajo y el estilo de vida que favorezcanel ortostatismo.Las preparados mas utilizados para el tratamiento de la IVC derivan deAesculus hippocastanum, Ruscus aculeatus, Pinus pinaster y Hamamelisvirginiana, entre otras, y contienen compuestos bioactivos talescomo saponósidos, proantocianidinas y flavonoides. El uso de fitofármacosen el tratamiento de la IVC se asocia al alivio tanto del dolorcomo de la pesadez de piernas, cansancio, calambres y parestesia,síntomas que constituyen el síndrome prevaricoso. Aunque existe unaamplia evidencia de su efecacia y seguridad a corto plazo, se consideranecesaria la realización de más estudios clínicos(AU)

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is one of the most commonvascular disorders. The main risk factors are the gravitationaleffect on the venous circulation, elderly, a familyhistory of venous disease, obesity and pregnancy. Also, theworking conditions and lifestyles favouring orthostatismcan have a role in CVI.The preparations most commonly used for the treatment ofIVC come from Aesculus hippocastanum, Ruscus aculeatus,Pinus pinaster and Hamamelis virginiana, among others,and contain bioactive compounds such as saponins,proanthocyanidins and flavonoids. The use of phytopharmaceuticalsin the treatment of IVC is associated with reliefof pain and heaviness in the legs, fatigue, cramps andparaesthesia, symptoms that constitute the pre-varicosesyndrome. Although there is evidence of its safety and efficacyat short term use, it is considered necessary to carryout further clinical studies(AU)

Effect of organogenesis on steroidal saponin biosynthesis in calli cultures of Ruscus aculeatus.

Calli cultures derived from Ruscus aculeatus rhizomes were investigated for their potential to biosynthesize saponins. The capacity of undifferentiated tissues to form steroidal saponins is very limited, but when the calli developed organogenesis, mainly aerial shoots and roots, the saponin production increased significantly. Plantlets regenerated from aerial shoots of Ruscus calli showed a saponin pattern similar to that of the callus cultures but the levels of saponins found in the aerial part and roots were significantly greater.