Effects of extraction conditions on phenolics content and biological activity of equisetum hyemale

Equisetum hyemale (E. hyemale) is a plant rich in bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and silica. These components are known for their potential therapeutic properties, including promoting tissue regeneration and wound healing. This study aims to compare the phenolic compounds content of E. hyemale extracts obtained under different extraction conditions and evaluate their effects on antibacterial activity and wound healing. Extraction of E. hyemale was performed using different solvents (methanol, ethanol, and water) under varying temperatures and durations in an ultrasonic bath. The obtained extracts were first analyzed by LC-MS/MS to determine the phenolic compound content. Subsequently, the wound healing and antibacterial activities of the extracts were evaluated. The highest phenolic compound content was found in the EH-E-60 and EH-M-60 extracts. The antibacterial activities of the extracts were tested against S. aureus, E. coli, and PAO1 strains, and the extracts with higher phenolic compound content demonstrated stronger antibacterial activity. The wound healing effects of the plant extracts were also evaluated. Wound width should decrease over time, which is an indicator of healing. In our study, the wound width in the control group was 584.16 µm at the beginning and decreased to 239.64 µm at the end of 72 hours. When EH-E-60 extract was used, the wound width was 593.07 µm at the beginning and decreased to 175.51 µm at 72 hours. These results reveal that the extraction conditions significantly affect the phenolic compounds content and the wound healing process of E. hyemale extracts.