Pharmacology of the species Equisetum (Equisetum arvense)

Abstract

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.