Studies on the percutaneous absorption of 3H-aescin in pigs

Percutaneous absorption of aescin was measured following application of an aqueous solution of tritiated sodium aescinate to the ventral skin of pigs. Following single or repeated application at various intervals, the concentration of total activity, non-volatile activity and aescin activity following TLC was determined in different organs, tissues, blood and urine. Very high concentrations of aescin were found in skin and muscular tissues underlying the application site. Only low values were measured in internal organs, blood, urine, skin and musculature from other parts of the body. The concentration of non-volatile activity in subcutis is 50-600 and in musculature 10-50 times higher than in blood. Only 0.5 - 1% is excreted in urine within 24 hours of administration. The calculated total elimination (bile + urine) may be 1 - 2.5% of the dose. Barely one half is excreted as native aescin, the rest as volatile activity and different metabolites.