Triterpenoid saponins complex of biological origin, escin, exhibits significant clinical activity in chronic venous insufficiency, skin inflammation, epidermal abrasions, allergic dermatitis, and acute impact injuries, especially in topical application. The aim of the study is the comparison of various hydrogel formulations, as carriers for a horse chestnut seed extract (EH). Methylcellulose (MC), two polyacrylic acid derivatives (PA1 and PA2), and polyacrylate crosspolymer 11 (PC-11) were employed. The release rates of EH were examined and a comparison with the Weibull model equation was performed. Application of MC as the carrier in the hydrogel preparation resulted in fast release rate of EH, whereas in the case of the hydrogel composed with PC-11 the release was rather prolonged. Applied Weibull function adhered best to the experimental data. Due to the evaluated shape parameterβ, in the Weibull equation, the systems under study released the active compound according to the Fickian diffusion.

Naturally sourced products introduced to human nutrition and rediscovered for therapy include polysaccharides from potatoes. The starch may obtain unique properties via acetylation with acetic anhydride at 13 cm3/100 g of starch as the basic dose of reagent used in industrial conditions. The hydrogel formulation was applied as a carrier for escin included in the dry extract of Aesculus hippocastanum. Six hydrogels were evaluated (methylcellulose, polyacrylic acid-Carbopol 980 NF and polyacrylate crosspolymer 11—Aristoflex Velvet) with various concentrations of the modified starch. The kinetic studies of in vitro β-escin release were carried out in purified water at 37 ± 0.5 °C using a paddle apparatus at 50 rpm and a time period of 7 h. The criterion for the most suitable model was based on a high correlation coefficient of evaluated release profiles. The addition of modified annealed acetylated potato starch resulted in prolongation of β-escin release.