esculin sodium

Esculin sodium is the sodium salt form of esculin (also known as æsculin or esculin), a coumarin glucoside naturally occurring in horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), California buckeye (Aesculus californica), and other plants[1][5]. It is primarily used in microbiology laboratories as a diagnostic agent to identify bacterial species such as Enterococci and Listeria; all strains of Group D Streptococci hydrolyze aesculin in bile-containing media[8][5]. In medicine and research settings (mainly outside the US/EU regulatory framework), it has been used for its vasoprotective properties—improving capillary permeability and fragility by inhibiting catabolic enzymes like hyaluronidase and collagenase. Esculin also exhibits antioxidant activity that may contribute to anti-inflammatory effects[2][3][6]. The compound is rarely absorbed systemically when applied topically but can be absorbed if administered with other ingredients rectally or on open wounds[3].

Other names

aesculin sodiumesculetin-6-glucoside sodium saltesculetin6-glucoside sodium saltesculetin 6-glucoside sodium salt2-oxo-6-{[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy}-2H-chromen-7-olate sodium salt