esculin

or aes·cu·lin

[ es-kyuh-lin ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a white, crystalline, slightly water-soluble glucoside, C 15 H 16 O 9 , obtained from the bark of the common horse chestnut and used chiefly in skin preparations as a protective against sunburn.

Word History and Origins

Origin of esculin¹

< Italian esculina < New Latin Aescul ( us ) (first part of genus name of species that produces it) + Italian -ina -in ²

Example Sentences

Most studies of horse chestnut extract or its active ingredients escin and esculin were done in animals or tissue cultures.

From Seattle Times

The agency also advises never to use homemade preparations, and points out on its Web site that while the extract is safe when properly processed, raw horse chestnut seeds, leaves, bark and flowers contain a chemical called esculin that is toxic.

From New York Times

In 1870, according to Dymock, Broughton analyzed the fresh bark and reported that the bitter taste was due to esculin, which after drying and coming in contact with decomposing organic matter is transformed into the almost tasteless esculetin.

From Project Gutenberg

The species Aesculus hippocastanum has been studied and has been found to contain saponin, tannin, and the glycoside, esculin.

From Project Gutenberg

Esculin is used in patent remedies in the form of ointments and pastes to protect the skin from sunburn.

From Project Gutenberg