Branched horsetail (Equisetum ramosissimum): some biological activities and total phenolic and flavonoid contents

Abstract

T Today, many plant species come to the fore with their medicinal potential. Plants are medically important natural resources. In our study, the biological activities of Equisetum ramosissimum were determined. Additionally, total phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured. The aboveground parts of the plant were extracted with ethanol and methanol. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were measured with Rel Assay TAS and TOS kits. Antimicrobial activity was determined against test bacteria and fungi using the agar dilution method. The anticholinesterase potential (anti-AchE and anti-BchE) of the extracts was determined by measuring acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase activities. Total phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Total flavonoid quantification was performed using aluminum chloride assay. As a result of the study, TAS values of ethanol and methanol extracts of the plant were determined as 4.802±0.090 mmol/L and 5.350±0.008 mmol/L, respectively. TOS values were determined as 7.643±0.189 µmol/L and 11.608±0.145 µmol/L, respectively. OSI values were determined as 0.159±0.005 and 0.217±0.006, respectively. It was determined that the plant extract was effective against bacterial strains at concentrations of 50-400 µg/mL and against fungal strains at concentrations of 50-200 µg/mL. In addition, the anti-AChE values of ethanol and methanol extracts were determined as 20.45±0.54 µg/mL and 16.70±0.43 µg/mL, respectively, and the anti-BChE values were determined as 40.07±0.90 µg/mL and 36.94±0.86 µg/mL, respectively. Total phenolic contents of ethanol and methanol extracts were determined as 161.30±3.51 mg/g and 199.11±1.96 mg/g, respectively, and total flavonoid contents were determined as 119.00±1.60 mg/g and 103.61±2.39 mg/g. As a result, it has been determined that Equisetum ramosissimum has a high biological potential and can be used as a natural material in pharmacological designs.