Steroidal constituents and anti-inflammatory activity of the horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) bark.

The content and the composition of sterols in the bark of the horse chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum L., have been examined. Stigmasterol and alpha-spinasterol were, with the beta-sitosterol, the most abundant sterols. The petrol extract from bark shows anti-inflammatory activity.