Equisetin targets membrane integrity and transcriptional networks to combat multidrug-resistant Enterococcus faecalis.

This study evaluates the natural product Equisetin as a potent agent against multidrug-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (MDR E. faecalis). Equisetin exhibited strong antibacterial activity (MIC = 5.84 μg/mL) by disrupting membrane integrity, inducing protein/DNA leakage, depolarizing membrane potential, elevating ROS, and depleting ATP. It also inhibited biofilm formation and showed minimal hemolytic activity without inducing resistance. Transcriptomics revealed upregulation of DNA repair/stress genes and downregulation of metabolic/protein synthesis genes, indicating a multi-target mechanism. These findings position Equisetin as a promising candidate for treating MDR infections.