Chestnut, Spanish

The first observation of fluorescence in solution occurred in 1565 by the Spanish physician and botanist Nicolas Monardes, who noticed a blue tint in the water contained in a recipient fabricated with a specimen of wood called lignum nephriticum [3, 11]. It was known in 1570 that the blue coloration that is produced by white light from the aqueous extract of the lignum nephriticum or peregrinum disappeared in acid medium. In 1615 a similar behavior was observed from the rind of Aesculos hippocastanum in aqueous medium [4]. When placed in water, the rind of chestnut produces a colorless liquid with bluish reflections today it is known that this originates from aesculin fluorescence [12]. 

In a woman with hypersensitivity to latex, testing revealed hypersensitivity to banana, avocado, and Spanish chestnut (Beier and Disch 1994). 

No irritant effects of an ethanol-water extract of Spanish chestnut leaf were observed in patch testing in healthy volunteers (Almeida et al. 2008). 

No information on the use of Spanish chestnut during pregnancy or lactation was identified. 

Hydrolyzable tannins involving depsides are known from the Aceraceae, Anacardiaceae, Combretaceae, Ericaceae, Geraniaceae, Hamamelidaceae and Paeoniaceae (Porter, 1989). The major sources of commercial ellagitannins are myrabolans, divi-divi, algabobilla, valonea, and the bark of oak and Spanish chestnut (Haslam, 1981). Unfortunately, few structures of hydrolyzable tannins other than those from a small number of economically important plants have been studied. 

Once a dominant hardwood species in eastern North America, the American chestnut has been extensively destroyed by a fungal disease during recent years caused by Cryphonectria (Endothia) parasitica (Murrill) Barr (chestnut disease fungus). Consequently, the leaves used in commerce are mostly derived from Spanish chestnut leaves (C. sativa Mill.), a native of the Mediterranean region, or from other Castanea species. 

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