Phytochemistry of the Genus Equisetum (Equisetum arvense)

The previous studies revealed that Equisetum arvense contained alkaloids, carbohydrate, proteins and amino acids, phytosterols, saponins, sterols, ascorbic acid, silicic acid, phenol, tannin, flavonoids, triterpenoids, volatile oils and many other biological active constituents. E. arvense has been used as a folklore medicine for treatment of various conditions such as tuberculosis, as a catarrh in the kidney and bladder regions, as a hematostatic for profuse menstruation, nasal, pulmonary, gastric hemorrhages and many other uses. The current review highlights the uses and phytochemical constituents of E. arvense.</jats:p

Pharmacology of the species Equisetum (Equisetum arvense)

The greater Equisetum arvense is an herbaceous plant from the family Equisetaceae commonly found in North America, Europe and Asia. The plant has been used since ancient times in medical practice because of its pharmacological applications, and the presence of many biologically active compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, carbohydrate, proteins and amino acids, phytosterols, saponins and sterols. Scientific data reveals the existence of 0.6 to 0.9% flavonoids including apigenin glucoside, genkwanin glucoside, kaempferol glucoside, kaempferol sophoroside, luteolin glucoside, quercetin glucoside. It also contained caffeic acid, 5-7.7% silicic acid and alkaloids.</jats:p