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Field Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) and Skin irritation: evidence and sources
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
For educational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants, especially alongside prescribed medication, during pregnancy, or for a serious condition.
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1 source supporting Field Horsetail for Skin irritation. Includes scientific publications, books, monographs and traditional-use references.
Mechanistic basis
This use is associated with the plant's anti-inflammatory action. Further evidence for that pharmacology:
Background In Europe, extracts of Equisetum arvense (common horsetail) have a long tradition in the treatment of inflammatory disorders. To understand the molecular basis for its use, we investigated the immunomodulatory capacity of a standardized commercially available common horsetail extract on human primary lymphocyte function in vitro. Methods The standardized extract of Equisetum arvense was phytochemically characterized. Effects on proliferation, viability and activity of mitogen-activated human lymphocytes were assessed in comparison to cyclosporine A using annexin V/propidium iodide staining assays and flow cytometry-based surface receptor characterization, respectively. Intracellular levels of effector molecules (IL-2, IFN-γ and TNF-α) were analyzed with cytokine assays. Results T cell proliferation was inhibited dose dependently by the Equisetum extract without induction of apoptosis or necrosis. This effect was mediated through inhibition of lymphocyte activation, specifically by diminishing CD69 and IL-2 surface receptor expression and intracellular IL-2 production. Furthermore, treatment with Equisetum arvense inhibited effector functions, as indicated by reduced production of IFN-γ and TNF-α. Conclusions The data indicate that the used extract of Equisetum arvense interferes with the polyfunctionality of immunocompetent cells thereby providing an anti-inflammatory mode-of-action.
Equisetum arvense L. (Equisetaceae), widely known as 'horsetail', is a perennial plant found extensively across Asia. Extracts of E. arvense have been used in traditional medicine, particularly for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. This study aimed to determine the phytochemical compounds in E. arvense ethanolic extract and their anti-inflammatory properties. Subsequently, we isolated and identified nine secondary metabolites, including kaempferol 3,7-di- O - β -D-glucopyranoside ( 1 ), icariside B 2 ( 2 ), ( Z )-3-hexenyl β -D-glucopyranoside ( 3 ), luteolin 5- O - β -D-glucopyranoside ( 4 ), 4- O - β -D-glucopyranosyl caffeic acid ( 5 ), clemastanin B ( 6 ), 4- O -caffeoylshikimic acid ( 7 ), (7 S ,8 S )- threo -7,9,9'-trihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxy-8- O -4'-neolignan-4- O - β -D-glucopyranoside ( 8 ), and 3- O -caffeoylshikimic acid ( 9 ). The chemical structures of the isolated compounds ( 1-9 ) were elucidated using HR-ESI-MS data, NMR spectra, and ECD data. Next, the anti-inflammatory effects of the isolates were evaluated in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α/interferon (IFN)γ-induced HaCaT, a human keratinocyte cell line. Among the isolates, compound 3 showed the highest inhibitory effect on the expression of pro-inflammatory chemokines, followed by compounds 6 and 8 . Correspondingly, the preceding isolates inhibited TNFα/IFNγ-induced activation of pro-inflammatory transcription factors, signal transducer and activator of transcription 1, and nuclear factor-κB. Collectively, E. arvense could be employed for the development of prophylactic or therapeutic agents for improving dermatitis.