Recently presented research shows that substances contained in chestnut leaf extract preventStaphylococcus aureus from producing toxins and virulence. It is likely that these substances are two derivatives of ursene and oleanene. Although these compounds do not kill the bacteria, they are very effective in "depriving them of their ability to produce tissue-damaging toxins".

The study was carried out not only on animal skin (mice) but also on human skin infected with Staphylococcus aureus. Chestnut extract is completely safe for the skin and its effectiveness was maintained even two weeks after application.