Key Constituents

Megastigmane and apocarotenoid glucosides (equiseoside A and B)^[1]

Pectic polysaccharides^[4]

Mixed-linkage (1->3,1->4)-beta-D-glucan^[5]

Phenolic acids and flavonoids (polyphenolic derivatives)^[2]

Pharmacological Actions

Antioxidant^{[2, 3, 4]}

Ethanolic extracts and isolated pectins of the sterile stems of Equisetum sylvaticum scavenge DPPH and hydroxyl radicals, an activity linked to their phenolic and polysaccharide constituents.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety noteCaution

Wood horsetail (Equisetum sylvaticum) shares the horsetail genus's traditional reputation as a diuretic, astringent and wound-healing herb, but the species itself is very little studied and no clinical data exist. As with other horsetails, prolonged use is cautioned because the genus contains the enzyme thiaminase, which can degrade vitamin B1; thiaminase-inactivated preparations are preferred. Not evaluated for safety in pregnancy or lactation.

References

REF-2363, REF-2360, REF-2361, REF-2364, REF-2365

Common Slug

wood-horsetail

References & Sources

Wang, Z., Tian, Y., Sugimoto, S., Yamano, Y., Kawakami, S., Otsuka, H. and Matsunami, K (2022) 'Four new glucosides from the aerial parts of Equisetum sylvaticum', Journal of Natural Medicines, 76(4), pp. 832-841. doi:10.1007/s11418-022-01643-0 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-022-01643-0
Batir-Marin, D., Boev, M., Cioanca, O., Mircea, C., Burlec, A.F., Beppe, G.J., Spac, A., Corciova, A., Hritcu, L. and Hancianu, M (2021) 'Neuroprotective and antioxidant enhancing properties of selective Equisetum extracts', Molecules, 26(9), pp. 2565. doi:10.3390/molecules26092565 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26092565
Batir-Marin, D., Mircea, C., Boev, M., Burlec, A.F., Corciova, A., Fifere, A., Iacobescu, A., Cioanca, O., Verestiuc, L. and Hancianu, M (2021) 'In vitro antioxidant, antitumor and photocatalytic activities of silver nanoparticles synthesized using Equisetum species: a green approach', Molecules, 26(23), pp. 7325. doi:10.3390/molecules26237325 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26237325
Patova, O.A., Smirnov, V.V., Golovchenko, V.V., Vityazev, F.V., Shashkov, A.S. and Popov, S.V (2019) 'Structural, rheological and antioxidant properties of pectins from Equisetum arvense L. and Equisetum sylvaticum L', Carbohydrate Polymers, 209, pp. 239-249. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.12.098 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.12.098
Fry, S.C., Nesselrode, B.H.W.A., Miller, J.G. and Mewburn, B.R (2008) 'Mixed-linkage (1->3,1->4)-beta-D-glucan is a major hemicellulose of Equisetum (horsetail) cell walls', New Phytologist, 179(1), pp. 104-115. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.2008.02435.x Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2008.02435.x

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