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Objective: Species of the genus Achillea (from the family Compositae or Asteraceae) are widely used for their numerous pharmacological properties. The present paper reviews pharmacological actions and their possible underlying molecular mechanisms reported for various species of Achillea. Materials and Methods: Various databases including PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus were used. Results: Immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects were shown for these plants. In addition, it was shown that these plants pose wound-healing properties and antimicrobial effects on various bacteria as well as antitumor effects on different cell lines. Achillea species showed anti-arrhythmic, anti-thrombotic, vasorelaxant, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-hypertensive, hepatoprotective and gastroprotective effects. In addition, the plants showed different endocrine effects such as anti-diabetic, estrogenic and antispermatogenic properties. Neurological effects of the plants also included anti-nociceptive and anti-anxiety actions. Clinical studies also indicated therapeutic effect of A. millefolium on multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in cancer patients, and dysmenorrhea but did not affect atopic dermatitis. Conclusion: Achillea species could be of therapeutic potential for treating of a wide range of diseases but further investigations are needed regarding the other properties of Achillea plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L., AM) is a widely used medicinal plant, with its essential oil highly valued in the cosmetic industry. In view of the numerous biological effects, however, microencapsulation, due to its ability to protect sensitive constituents, transform liquids into solid-state material, and provide modification of release kinetics, might open up new possibilities for the biomedical utilization of yarrow essential oil (AMO). In the current work, yarrow plantation was established by its propagation from spontaneous flora. Following the steam distillation of aerial parts, the chemical composition of the essential oil was determined by GC-MS analysis and compared with two commercial samples. This study concludes that Achillea millefolium L. from this region, given the environmental conditions, produces high-azulene-content essential oil. Furthermore, microencapsulation of AMO was successfully performed by complex coacervation into gelatin (GE) and gum arabic (GA) based core–shell microcapsules (MCs). According to the optical microscopic investigation, the particle sizes of the formed polynucleated microcapsules ranged from 14 to 132 µm, with an average of 47 µm. The assessment of morphology by SEM analysis of the freeze-dried form revealed a sponge-like character with embedded circular structures. The microencapsulation was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), while an encapsulation efficiency of 87.6% was determined by UV spectroscopy. GC-MS analysis revealed that microencapsulation preserves the key components of the essential oil. It was concluded that AMO can be effectively processed by complex coacervation followed by freeze-drying into solid-state material for new applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of Achillea ageratum L. (A. ageratum) essential oil (EO) administered at a dosage of 50 mg/kg on triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia in Wistar rats. The phytochemical composition of the EO was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), revealing the prevalence of oxygen-containing monoterpenes, and oxygen-containing sesquiterpenes. Furthermore, the principal constituents of A. ageratum EO included artemisyl acetate (54.09%), α-santalol (14.99%), and yomogi alcohol (8.98 %). The in vivo toxicity of this EO was assessed using the acute toxic class (ATC) method, revealing no adverse effects or mortality. The estimated LD50 exceeded 2 g/kg. Triton WR-1339 administration resulted in significant increase in hyperlipidemia-associated parameters, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c), as well as lipid ratios (TC/HDL-c and TGs/HDL-c). In contrast, pretreatment with A. ageratum L EO for seven days demonstrated a notable preventive effect against the rise plasma lipid levels and lipid ratios. In summary, this study reveals the promising potential of A. ageratum L EO in managing hyperlipidemia, which highlights the necessity for further research to elucidate the specific mechanistic pathways implicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidation of fats in food greatly reduces their shelf life and causes food of unacceptable quality to be presented to the customer. In this regard, this research was conducted with the aim of increasing the oxidative stability of sesame oil with nanoliposomes containing the antioxidant extract of yarrow plant. In this study, 6 concentrations of nanoliposomes containing yarrow plant extract (0, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 ppm) were used in sesame oil, and tests such as acidity, peroxide, thiobarbituric acid index, conjugate diene were performed on those oils. And after finding the best concentration of nanoliposome containing yarrow extract, this sample was compared with the sample containing the same amount of free yarrow extract and also the sample with 200 ppm BHT after 7 days of storage at 63 degrees Celsius. The results showed that with increasing storage time, acidity level, thiobarbituric acid index and conjugate diene increased, but with the increase of nanoliposome containing 500 ppm of yarrow extract, these characteristics decreased and then increased. Unlike other characteristics, the peroxide content of the samples decreased from the 5th day onwards. On the other hand, it was found that the sample containing 500 ppm of free yarrow extract had the highest level of acidity, peroxide, thiobarbituric acid index and conjugate diene. The highest oxidative stability (14.21 hours) belonged to the oil with nanoliposome containing 500 ppm of yarrow extract. The dominant fatty acid in sesame oil containing nanoliposome as well as control was linoleic acid, and the use of antioxidants did not significantly change the fatty acid profile of sesame oil. Finally, it can be stated that the use of nanoliposome containing yarrow plant extract is a suitable alternative for synthetic antioxidants available in the market [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Yarrow is a member of the Asteraceae family, utilized extensively in the field of medical sciences. Among the medicinal plants, one may encounter few specimens like the aforementioned plant, which enjoys widespread distribution across various regions of the globe and boasts a diverse array of uses that contribute to its renown. The aim of the present study was the synthesis of Yarrow extract evaluation of its antibacterial effects on a group of intestinal bacteria and comparing its antibacterial properties with phenol. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, Yarrow plant extract was extracted with the hydroalcoholic method. The aerial parts of Achillea ageratum plant with herbarium number 1753 were prepared from the slopes of Ardabil mountains and after determining the identity, the extract of this plant was extracted by hydroalcoholic method. In this method, after preparing the plant and drying the aerial parts of the plant, 10 g of it was crushed in a sterile mortar, then it was poured into an Erlenmeyer flask, and 50 mL of 100% ethanol was added to it. After 24 hours of mixing in a magnetic stirrer using a Buchner funnel with Whatman filter paper and a vacuum pump, the remaining components of the plant were separated. Then, a certain amount of distilled water (20 ml) was added to the desired solution and placed again in the magnetic stirrer whose temperature was set at 80 degrees Celsius, so that the alcohol was completely removed from the reactor. The Antibacterial effect of yarrow extract was performed by disc diffusion method and micro broth dilution on standard species of Enterobacteriaceae families including the standard bacterial strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC:10031), Escherichia coli (ATCC:23591), Shigella dysentery (ATCC:25922) and Enterobacter aerogenes (ATCC:13048). All experiments were performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Results: In the present study, the growth rate of bacteria decreased by increasing the concentration of yarrow extract. The MIC of Yarrow plant extract for Klebsiella pneumonia and Enterobacter aerogenes was obtained in %6.25 and for Shigella dysentery and Escherichia coli was obtained in %12.5 and %25, respectively. Also, the MBC of extract for Shigella dysentery, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Enterobacter aerogenes bacteria was obtained in 25%, and for Escherichia coli it was obtained in 50%. The results of MIC and MBC show that the most sensitive bacteria to yarrow extract among the studied bacteria is Enterobacter aerogenes and the most resistant is Escherichia coli. The diameter of the inhibition zone for Shigella dysentery, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter aerogenes bacteria was obtained at 19, 18, 20, and 23 mm, respectively. In this experiment, Enterobacter aerogenes bacteria were the most sensitive and Escherichia coli was the most resistant among the investigated bacteria. Comparative investigation of the antibacterial properties of yarrow extract with phenol, showed that yarrow extract had a lower killing effect than phenol at 5, 10, and 15-minute contact time. In this test, the most resistant bacteria are Shigella dysentery and the most sensitive bacteria are Escherichia coli and Enterobacter aerogenes. The reason that the type of resistant and sensitive bacteria was slightly different in the method of comparing the antibacterial effect of yarrow extract with phenol with the results of MIC, MBC, and non-growth halo diameter is related to the reduction of contact time of the extract with bacteria. Conclusion: The results of the present research show that the hydroalcoholic extract of the yarrow plant is very effective in the removal of gram-negative intestinal bacteria. Also, the hydroalcoholic extract of the yarrow plant is more effective in removing gram-negative bacteria than phenol

High temperatures have detrimental effects on the performance and physiology of broiler chickens. Medicinal plants have various biological activities and may enhance the heat resistance of chickens during heat waves. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the potential roles of using specific local medicinal plants to alleviate the negative impacts of heat stress (HS) in broilers. In this study, 180 dayold chicks were used to investigate the effects of HS and dietary indigenous medicinal plants on growth performance, antioxidant biomarkers, and intestinal health. The chicks were assigned to six groups (18 pens with 10 chicks per pen) with three replicates each. In the first group, the chicks were kept under thermoneutral conditions (CON) and fed a basal diet. The other five groups were exposed to recurrent heat stress and fed a basal diet (T1, HS group) or supplemented with Artemisia Sieberi (1.25 g/kg of feed; T2), Achillea Fragrantissima (15 g/kg of feed; T3), Olea europaea (10 g/kg of feed; T4), and all the previous additives (all-in-one) combined at the same dose levels mentioned above (T5). At 21 days of age, the chicks from each group were exposed to two phases of heat stress: phase 1 from days 21 to 34 (34 ± 1°C) followed by phase 2 from days 35 to 39 (37 ± 1°C). The results indicate that HS significantly increased rectal temperature and respiration rate in broiler chickens. Feed intake and body weight gain were improved in all supplemented groups, while the feed conversion ratio was decreased in response to the dietary inclusion of medicinal plants. Additionally, glutathione peroxidase and immunoglobulin G levels were increased in the T3, T4, and T5 groups compared to the other groups. HS induced significant upregulated in the mRNA levels of heat shock protein 70 and interleukin-8, while the mRNA of occludin was decreased. The T3, T4, and T5 showed significantly decreased expression of hepatic HSP70 and ileum IL-8 genes and increased ileum mRNA occludin levels relative to the CON and T1 groups. In conclusion, supplementation with these plants enhances growth performance and maintains intestinal health sustaining the productivity of broiler chickens under HS conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the mitigating effects of spermidine on salinity-stressed yarrow plants (Achillea millefolium L.), an economically important medicinal crop. Plants were treated with four salinity levels (0, 30, 60, 90 mM NaCl) and three spermidine concentrations (0, 1.5, 3 μM). Salinity induced electrolyte leakage in a dose-dependent manner, increasing from 22% at 30 mM to 56% at 90 mM NaCl without spermidine. However, 1.5 μM spermidine significantly reduced leakage across salinities by 1.35–11.2% relative to untreated stressed plants. Photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids) also exhibited salinity- and spermidine-modulated responses. While salinity decreased chlorophyll a, both spermidine concentrations increased chlorophyll b and carotenoids under most saline conditions. Salinity and spermidine synergistically elevated osmoprotectants proline and total carbohydrates, with 3 μM spermidine augmenting proline and carbohydrates up to 14.4% and 13.1% at 90 mM NaCl, respectively. Antioxidant enzymes CAT, POD and APX displayed complex regulation influenced by treatment factors. Moreover, salinity stress and spermidine also influenced the expression of linalool and pinene synthetase genes, with the highest expression levels observed under 90 mM salt stress and the application of 3 μM spermidine. The findings provide valuable insights into the responses of yarrow plants to salinity stress and highlight the potential of spermidine in mitigating the adverse effects of salinity stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chamazulene (CA) is an intensely blue molecule with a wealth of biological properties. In cosmetics, chamazulene is exploited as a natural coloring and soothing agent. CA is unstable and tends to spontaneously degrade, accelerated by light. We studied the photodegradation of CA upon controlled exposure to UVB-UVA irradiation by multiple techniques, including GC-MS, UHPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS and by direct infusion in ESI-MSn, which were matched to in silico mass spectral simulations to identify degradation products. Seven byproducts formed upon UVA exposure for 3 h at 70 mW/cm2 (blue-to-green color change) were identified, including CA dimers and CA benzenoid, which were not found on extended 6 h irradiation (green-to-yellow fading). Photostability tests with reduced irradiance conducted in various solvents in the presence/absence of air indicated highest degradation in acetonitrile in the presence of oxygen, suggesting a photo-oxidative mechanism. Testing in the presence of antioxidants (tocopherol, ascorbyl palmitate, hydroxytyrosol, bakuchiol, γ-terpinene, TEMPO and their combinations) indicated the highest protection by tocopherol and TEMPO. Sunscreens ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and particularly Tinosorb® S (but not octocrylene) showed good CA photoprotection. Thermal stability tests indicated no degradation of CA in acetonitrile at 50 °C in the dark for 50 days; however, accelerated degradation occurred in the presence of ascorbyl palmitate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achillea fragrantissima is a shrub plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family in Arabia and Egypt. It is used as folk medicine and is a good source of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and some active compounds. To investigate the anti-cancer effect of A.fragrantissima on breast cancer MCF-7 cells and find the critical mechanism involved in apoptosis. The toxicity and pharmacokinetic studies of ethanolic extract of A.fragrantissima was examined for anti-breast cancer properties. In turn, cytotoxicity and cell viability were achieved by the MTT method. Furthermore, the trypan blue exclusion and microscopy examination proved the presence of apoptotic cells. Again, fluorescent staining such as AO/EtBr, DCFH-DA, Rho-123, and Hoechst-33342 reveals the cellular cytoplasmic disciplines upon A. fragrantissima effect. Moreover, cellular functioning tests like wound healing, colony formation, and Transwell invasion assay were demonstrated. In addition, the qRT-PCR technique authenticates the A. fragrantissima -induced apoptotic network genes (Caspase-3, Caspase-8, Caspase-9, Cytochrome c, BCL-2, BID, BAX, PARP, PTEN, PI3K, and Akt) expression were evaluated. Mainly, the Immunoblot technique proved the expressed level of apoptotic proteins such as cleaved PARP, CYCS, and FADD. This study confirmed that the A. fragrantissima exerts cytotoxicity at 20 μg/mL for 24 hrs in MCF-7 cells. Also, decreases cellular viability, producing apoptotic cells and damaged cellular surfaces with dead matter. Consequently, it creates ROS species accumulation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and fragmentation of DNA in MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, it arrests cell migration, induces colony-forming ability loss, and suppresses cell invasion. In addition, A. fragrantissima significantly upregulates genes such as caspase-3, 9, cytochrome c, BID, BAX, and PTEN while downregulating the Pi3K/ Akt signaling. Nonetheless, A.fragrantissima induced cleaved PARP, CYCS, and FADD proteins in MCF-7 cells to avail apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, phytochemical analyzes and investigations for in vitro antimicrobial activity of two endemic species Achillea schischkinii Sosn. and A. teretifolia Willd. were carried out. The essential oils and fatty acids as well as the different solvents extracts were obtained from aerial parts of the plants. Gas chromatography (GC) and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC / MS) techniques were used to analyze the phytochemical composition of the volatiles and fatty acid methyl esters. In vitro antimicrobial evaluations of the plant extracts were determined against Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Candida albicans ATCC 10231, C. parapsilosis ATCC 22019, C. tropicalis ATCC 750, and C. glabrata ATCC 90030 by microdilution method. The antifungal combination of infusion of A. schischkinii with fluconazole was determined by the checkerboard method againts Candida species. Chemical compositions of A. schischkinii and A. teretifolia were determined as 1,8-cineol (25.2-30.4 %), and camphor (7.0-5.5 %). Antimicrobial evaluation of different extracts of A. teretifolia, were performed for the first time in this study. The MIC values were observed between at 156.25-5000 μg / mL for both of the plant extracts. The combination showed a synergistic effect (FIC =0.5) against C. albicans and C. parapsilosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

tract Background and purpose: Yarrow is a member of the Asteraceae family, utilized extensively in the field of medical sciences. Among the medicinal plants, one may encounter few specimens like the aforementioned plant, which enjoys widespread distribution across various regions of the globe and boasts a diverse array of uses that contribute to its renown. The aim of the present study was the synthesis of Yarrow extract evaluation of its antibacterial effects on a group of intestinal bacteria and comparing its antibacterial properties with phenol. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, Yarrow plant extract was extracted with the hydroalcoholic method. The aerial parts of Achillea ageratum plant with herbarium number 1753 were prepared from the slopes of Ardabil mountains and after determining the identity, the extract of this plant was extracted by hydroalcoholic method. In this method, after preparing the plant and drying the aerial parts of the plant, 10 g of it was crushed in a sterile mortar, then it was poured into an Erlenmeyer flask, and 50 mL of 100% ethanol was added to it. After 24 hours of mixing in a magnetic stirrer using a Buchner funnel with Whatman filter paper and a vacuum pump, the remaining components of the plant were separated. Then, a certain amount of distilled water (20 ml) was added to the desired solution and placed again in the magnetic stirrer whose temperature was set at 80 degrees Celsius, so that the alcohol was completely removed from the reactor. The Antibacterial effect of yarrow extract was performed by disc diffusion method and micro broth dilution on standard species of Enterobacteriaceae families including the standard bacterial strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC:10031), Escherichia coli (ATCC:23591), Shigella dysentery (ATCC:25922) and Enterobacter aerogenes (ATCC:13048). All experiments were performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Results: In the present study, the growth rate of bacteria decreased by increasing the concentration of yarrow extract .The MIC of Yarrow plant extract for Klebsiella pneumonia and Enterobacter aerogenes was obtained in %6.25 and for Shigella dysentery and Escherichia coli was obtained in %12.5 and %25, respectively. Also, the MBC of extract for Shigella dysentery, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Enterobacter aerogenes bacteria was obtained in 25%, and for Escherichia coli it was obtained in 50%. The results of MIC and MBC show that the most sensitive bacteria to yarrow extract among the studied bacteria is Enterobacter aerogenes and the most resistant is Escherichia coli. The diameter of the inhibition zone for Shigella dysentery, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter aerogenes bacteria was obtained at 19, 18, 20, and 23 mm, respectively. In this experiment, Enterobacter aerogenes bacteria were the most sensitive and Escherichia coli was the most resistant among the investigated bacteria. Comparative investigation of the antibacterial properties of yarrow extract with phenol, showed that yarrow extract had a lower killing effect than phenol at 5, 10, and 15-minute contact time. In this test, the most resistant bacteria are Shigella dysentery and the most sensitive bacteria are Escherichia coli and Enterobacter aerogenes. The reason that the type of resistant and sensitive bacteria was slightly different in the method of comparing the antibacterial effect of yarrow extract with phenol with the results of MIC, MBC, and non-growth halo diameter is related to the reduction of contact time of the extract with bacteria. Conclusion: The results of the present research show that the hydroalcoholic extract of the yarrow plant is very effective in the removal of gram-negative intestinal bacteria. Also, the hydroalcoholic extract of the yarrow plant is more effective in removing gram-negative bacteria than phenol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal death kinetics of Salmonella Enteritidis in ground chicken in the presence of ribwort, sorrel and yarrow extracts mixture (1%) was investigated by fitting the inactivation curves to the log–linear and Weibull models. The thermal inactivation curves were fitted well to both models (r2 ≥ 0.94). The times required for 4–log reduction in the S. Enteritidis population were shortened by 47–64% in ground chicken supplemented with the herbal extract mixture (p < 0.05). The 4–log reduction times calculated using the Weibull model were 0.13–13.6% longer than those extrapolated with the log–linear model. The z values in the ground chicken samples with and without herbal extract were 5.08°C (r2 = 0.97) and 5.57°C (r2= 0.94), respectively. The results suggest that the mixture of these extracts increased the thermal sensitivity of S. Enteritidis significantly at tested temperatures. In addition, using the Weibull model to calculate thermal death kinetics may reduce the underestimation of the thermal reduction times. Practical applications: This research aimed to investigate the effects of an herbal extract mixture consisting of ribwort, sorrel, and yarrow on the thermal resistance of Salmonella Enteritidis in ground chicken. While these plants are recognized for their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, there are not many studies conducted to explore their effects on foodborne pathogens in the food matrix. As far as we know, this is the first study that examines the impact of these plants on the thermal resistance of S. Enteritidis in ground chicken. We determined the thermal death kinetics of S. Enteritidis in ground chicken with and without the herbal extract mixture using curve fitting to log‐linear and Weibull models. The findings of this study could help the food industry to develop cooking conditions for Salmonella‐free chicken products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is considered to rank among the most important global issues affecting species' geographic distributions and biodiversity. Understanding effects of climate change on species can enhance conservation efficacy. In this study, we applied ecological niche modeling (ENM) using maximum entropy (MaxEnt) approaches to predict the potential geographic distribution of Achillea eriophora DC., a medicinal plant species to Iran in southwestern Asia, under current and future climate scenarios. We evaluated potential distributional areas of the species, under two shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP2‐4.5 and SSP5‐8.5) for the period 2041–2060. Most current potential suitable areas were identified for A. eriophora in montane regions. Our results anticipated that the potential distribution of A. eriophora will expand geographically toward higher elevations and northward. However, the species is expected to experience relatively high losses of suitability in its actual habitats under future climate scenarios. Consequently, we recommend regional‐to‐national conservation action plans for A. eriophora in its natural habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achillea cretica (L.) (Asteraceae) is a suffruticosa camefite plant, mainly distributed in Crete, Aegean Islands, and eastern Mediterranean area. In the present study, the chemical composition of the essential oil from aerial parts of a not previously investigated accession of Achillea cretica, collected in Crete, was analysed by GC-MS. The results showed the presence of large quantity of α-bisabolol (53.88%) followed by the related compound α-bisabolol-oxide (2.76%), and spathulenol (5.94%). Based on the composition of the essential oils of all the other Achillea taxa, several consideration have been carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achillea filipendulina is a native aromatic plant with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This research aimed to determine and compare the essential oil content and composition of different populations of this plant in farm condition. Seeds provided by the Natural Resources Gene Bank of Iran were sown in a field experiment over two years. Essential oils from the aerial parts of all populations, at full flowering stage, were obtained by hydro-distillation and analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The oil yields ranged from 0.13% to 1.20%. Twenty-six compounds were identified with 1,8-cineole (2.0–73.5%), santolina alcohol (14.2–35%) and borneol (0.6–20.4%) as major components. Cluster analysis divided all accessions into two clusters. The main compounds in cluster 1 (two populations) were santolina alcohol, borneol, cis-chrysanthenyl acetate, bornyl acetate and α-pinene. The oils in Cluster 2 contained borneol, cis-chrysanthenyl acetate and high amount of 1,8-cineole (22.6–73.5%) as main components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The use of medicinal plants from traditional knowledge systems has increased in recent years. Achillea fragrantissima -infused water has a historical use in relieving gastrointestinal complaints and treating skin inflammations. With the rising resistance to antimalarial drugs, finding safe and affordable new drugs is crucial. Exploring medicinal plants shows promise for drug development in the fight against malaria. Methods: The objective of this research is to examine the in vitro antimalarial activity of A. fragrantissima -infused water, as well as water-ethanol extracts of its leaves, flowers, and stems based on β-hematin formation. Colorimetric semiquantitative assessments based on β-hematin inhibition and evaluation of optical density at 405 nm were employed. Results: The results demonstrated promising antimalarial activity of the different plant parts. The aqueous flower extract exhibited strong activity, comparable to that of the positive control. The leaves extract also showed strong antimalarial activity. The stem's aqueous and ethanolic extracts exhibited lower inhibitory activity compared to flowers and leaves. Synergistic antimalarial activity was observed when mixing the stem and leaves water extracts, as well as when mixing each of the stem and leaves extracts with the flower extract. The highest synergistic effect was observed when all three parts of the plant were mixed, resulting in activity comparable to the positive control. The high-performance liquid chromatography photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) chromatographic method confirmed the presence of rutin in the leaves extract. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the potential antimalarial activity of A. fragrantissima. The aqueous flower extract and leaves extract exhibited strong antimalarial activity, while the stem extracts showed relatively lower activity. Furthermore, synergistic effects were observed when combining different parts of the plant. These results suggest that A. fragrantissima holds promise as a potential source for the development of new antimalarial drugs. The confirmation of rutin presence in the leaves extract through HPLC-PDA analysis provides additional insights into the plant's chemical composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Methanolic and chloroformic extract of Achillea millefolium and Chaerophyllum villosum were evaluated for HPLC analysis, genotoxic and antioxidant potential. Materials and methods: Genotoxic activity was carried out on human blood lymphocytes via comet assay and antioxidant activity was studied through DPPH method. Results: The genotoxic potential of A. millefolium and C. villosum's methanolic and chloroformic extract was analysed using comet assay technique. Comet shaped human lymphocytes cells were observed when treated with different concentrations (50 mg/mL, 75 mg/mL, 100 mg/mL) of methanolic and chloroformic extract of both plants. Reading was taken on the basis of damaged DNA head and tail length. Greater the length of tail as compared to head, greater will be the damage and vice versa. Total comet score was obtained from A. millefolium subjected to different concentrations. After a time interval of 24 h both the extract showed dose dependant genoprotection with maximum genoprotectivity at 98.7 ± 12.7 and 116 ± 5.3 at 50 mg/100 mL for methanolic and chloroformic extract respectively. Similarly Total Comet score was obtained from C. villosum subjected to different concentrations of methanolic and chloroformic extract. After 24 h exhibited dose dependent genoprotection with maximum protectivity at 85.7 ± 22.0 and 101.7 ± 8.6 at 50 mg/100 mL for methanolic and chloroformic extract were determined. The antioxidant activity revealed that methanolic extract of A. millefolium showed highest antioxidant activity (84.21%) at 300 mg/ml after 90 min while the chloroformic extract of C. villosum exhibited highest (68.46%) antioxidant activity (59.69%) at 300 µg/ml after 90 min but less than the standard drug ascorbic acid (88.72%). Quantitative phytochemical screening revealed high percentage of alkaloids (27.4%), Phenols (34.5%), Flavonoids (32.4%) as compared to Tannins (12%) in methanolic extract of A.millefolium. While high percentage of alkaloids (31.4), Phenols (19.3%), Flavonoids (35.5%) as compared to Tannins (16.6%) in chloroformic extract of C. villosum. Conclusion: The present results showed that A. millefolium and C. villosum possess a number of important compounds and revealed genoprotective property which may be used to treat several genetic disorders such as alzeimer's disease in future (Grodzicki W, Dziendzikowska K, Antioxidants 9(3):229, 2020). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Within the framework of the European Interreg Italy–Switzerland B-ICE & Heritage project (2018–2022), this study originated from a three-year ethnobotanical survey in Valmalenco (Sondrio, Italy). Following a preliminary work published by our group, this research further explored the folk therapeutic use of Achillea erba-rotta subsp. moschata (Wulfen) I.Richardson (Asteraceae) for dyspepsia disorders, specifically its anti-inflammatory potential at a gastrointestinal level. (2) Methods: Semi-structured interviews were performed. The bitter taste was investigated through molecular docking software (PLANTS, GOLD), while the anti-inflammatory activity of the hydroethanolic extract, infusion, and decoction was evaluated based on the release of IL-8 and IL-6 after treatment with TNFα or Helicobacter pylori. The minimum inhibitory concentration and bacterial adhesion on the gastric epithelium were evaluated. (3) Results: In total, 401 respondents were interviewed. Molecular docking highlighted di-caffeoylquinic acids as the main compounds responsible for the interaction with bitter taste receptors. The moderate inhibition of IL-6 and IL-8 release was recorded, while, in the co-culture with H. pylori, stronger anti-inflammatory potential was expressed (29–45 μg/mL). The concentration-dependent inhibition of H. pylori growth was recorded (MIC = 100 μg/mL), with a significant anti-adhesive effect. (4) Conclusions: Confirming the folk tradition, the study emphasizes the species' potentiality for dyspepsia disorders. Future studies are needed to identify the components mostly responsible for the biological effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an author index from the journal Respirology. It lists the names of various authors and the corresponding page numbers where their work can be found in the journal. The index includes a diverse range of authors from different backgrounds and perspectives. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is one of the most common health care-acquired infections. The dramatic increase in antimicrobial resistance of C. difficile isolates has led to growing demand to seek new alternative medicines against CDI. Achillea millefolium L. extracts exhibit strong biological activity to be considered as potential therapeutic agents. In this work, the inhibitory effects of A. millefolium, its decoction (DEC) and ethanol (ETOH) extracts, were investigated on the growth of C. difficile RT001 and its toxigenic cell-free supernatant (Tox-S) induced inflammation and apoptosis. Methods: Phytochemical analysis of extracts was performed by HPLC and GC analysis. The antimicrobial properties of extracts were evaluated against C. difficile RT001. Cell viability and cytotoxicity of Caco-2 and Vero cells treated with various concentrations of extracts and Tox-S were examined by MTT assay and microscopy, respectively. Anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of extracts were assessed in Tox-S stimulated Caco-2 cells by RT-qPCR. Results: Analysis of the phytochemical profile of extracts revealed that the main component identified in both extracts was chlorogenic acid. Both extracts displayed significant antimicrobial activity against C. difficile RT001. Moreover, both extracts at concentration 50 µg/mL had no significant effect on cell viability compared to untreated cells. Pre-treatment of cells with extracts (50 µg/mL) significantly reduced the percentage of Vero cells rounding induced by Tox-S. Also, both pre-treatment and co-treatment of Tox-S stimulated Caco-2 cells with extracts significantly downregulated the gene expression level of IL-8, IL-1β, TNF-α, TGF-β, iNOS, Bax, caspase-9 and caspase-3 and upregulated the expression level of Bcl-2. Conclusion: The results of the present study for the first time demonstrate the antimicrobial activity and protective effects of A. millefolium extracts on inflammatory response and apoptosis induced by Tox-S from C. difficile RT001 clinical strain in vitro. Further research is needed to evaluate the potential application of A. millefolium extracts as supplementary medicine for CDI prevention and treatment in clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, some physicochemical, antioxidant properties and in-vitro bioaccessibility of bread enriched with yarrow and dandelion powder at three different ratios (1%, 2%, 3%) were determined. The antioxidant capacity was determined as 20.50 μmol TE/g in the bread with 3% yarrow addition and 19.75 μmol TE/g in the bread with 3% dandelion addition according to the CUPRAC method. The total phenolic content was 45.76 mg GAE/100g in the control group and 62.23 and 61.40 mg GAE/100g in the bread with 3% yarrow and dandelion, respectively. It was detected that the bioaccessibility values of the phenolic compounds of the bread subjected to the enzymatic extraction process ranged between 69-73%. The study revealed that the bread enriched with medicinal plants, known for their positive effects, exhibited higher levels of ash, total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity in comparison to the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achillea ligustica All., (Ligurian yarrow) is an aromatic herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. This plant is widely distributed in the Mediterranean region and has been used in traditional medicine of some countries; it is used especially as a remedy to treat hemorrhage, stomach disorders, and skin diseases. Many chemical constituents were identified from different parts of the species; the most important are lactone sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, and essential oils (EOs). This chemical diversity is the main cause of its large spectrum of pharmacological properties. A. ligustica was reported to possess antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, and anti-psoriasis properties. Several studies have focused on the chemical composition and pharmacological properties of its EO suggesting using the EO in oral hygiene products. The present literature review draws up the importance of this medicinal plant by reviewing its recent ethnomedicinal uses, chemical constituents, and pharmacological activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Achillea genus is often used in traditional medicine for the treatment of digestive disorders. The current research sought to understand the mechanisms of action of the decocted extract of Achillea odorata L., with a focus on its possible effects on neurotransmitters that control gastrointestinal motility, as well as how it affected intestinal transit (IT) and gastric emptying (GE). Mice were given ADE treatments at 100, 200, or 400 mg.kg-1 doses, and an hour later they were given phenol red meal. To determine the effect of the extract on IT and GE, rats were given ADE (200 mg.kg-1) in a different set of experiments while also receiving different pharmacological agents, such as atropine (3.45 mmol.kg-1), L-Nitro-N-Arginine (L-NNA) (1.36 mmol.kg-1), or indomethacin (5.58 mmol.kg-1). At doses of 100, 200, or 400 mg.kg-1, ADE showed a significant decrease in GE and IT; the corresponding values for GE were 45.62±2.69%, 42.92±4.91%, and 28.80±3.02%, respectively. and, similarly, 57.87±3.97%, 48.72±2.01%, and 42.81±3.96% for IT. These effects on GE delay and antimotility activity were mediated through the cholinergic, nitric oxide, and cyclooxygenase pathways induced by ADE. A chemical analysis of ADE using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector (HPLC-DAD) revealed the presence of 12 phenolic acid compounds. The predominant phenolic compound identified in A. odorata was chlorogenic acid, with a concentration of 33.43±0.18 mg.g-1. These results suggest that components of A. odorata L. may have potential applications in controlling gastrointestinal motility problems, such as diarrhoea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Visión Electrónica is the property of Fondo de Universidad Distrital Francisco Jose de Caldas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The medicinally effective plant Achillea fragrantissima exhibits a magnitude of pharmacological activities. In this study, the effects of different ZnONP concentrations on antioxidant enzymes, bioactive secondary metabolites, redox potential, and molecular changes in A. fragrantissima callus cultures were investigated. First, the concentrations of the growth regulators 2,4-D and BA were optimized using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. The MS medium was then administered with 2,4-D and BA at its optimal dosage (1.0 mg.L−1); afterward, different ZnONP supplements (0.0, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, and 20.0 mg.L−1) were added. ZnONPs resulted in many physiological and molecular responses. ZnONPs significantly increased POD, APX, and SOD activities. While 10.0 mg.L−1 ZnONPs significantly increased POD and APX activities, 15.0 mg.L−1 ZnONPs significantly increased SOD. However, CAT activity gradually decreased with ZnONPs. Metabolically, ZnONPs increased phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponin levels. Phenolic levels peaked at 20.0 mg.L−1, flavonoids at 15.0 mg.L−1, and alkaloids and saponins at 10.0 mg.L−1. Terpenoids were more prevalent at lower levels of ZnONPs. With 15.0 and 10.0 mg.L−1 giving the maximum activity, ZnONPs enhanced the DPPH activity and TAC of the callus culture extracts, respectively. RAPD and ISSR fingerprinting were applied using 12 random and ISSR primers to evaluate the genetic stability of ZnONP-induced callus cultures. Six RAPD primers showed 83% polymorphism while the seven ISSR primers achieved 30% polymorphism. Consequently, DNA mutations may have been induced by ZnONPs and caused DNA fragments to either appear or disappear in RAPD and ISSR callus profiles. The dendrogram based on RAPD and ISSR combined data showed that by increasing ZnONP concentration the genetic differentiation among callus cultures was elevated. In conclusion, higher accumulation of secondary metabolites and redox activity were increased in A. fragrantissima callus cultures using low ZnONPs (10.0 mg.L−1) concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, morphological variability and differentiation of 13 Achillea species, including 11 from the Achillea section Achillea sensu lato (A. chrysocoma, A. clypeolata, A. coarctata, A. collina, A. crithmifolia, A. distans, A. grandifolia, A. millefolium, A. nobilis, A. pseudopectinata and A. vandasii) and two species from the Achillea section Anthemoideae (A. ageratifolia and A. lingulata) from Serbia were analyzed. Morphometric analysis included a total of 9 quantitative characteristics from the vegetative and reproductive plant parts. Multivariate statistical analyses reflected almost clear differentiation between species from two studied sections whereby ligulate floret length and stem leaf segment length had the greatest influence for their distinction. Thus, the section Achillea sensu lato was characterized by significantly shorter ligulate florets and longer segments of stem leaf compared to the section Anthemoideae. Furthermore, A. grandifolia featured the longest segments of stem leaf and showed considerable separation from all other species within the section Achillea sensu lato. It could be concluded that the selected set of morphological characteristics in the present study mainly positioned the studied species in accordance with the current infrageneric classification of Achillea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achillea millefolium L. herb and flowers have high biological activity; hence, they are used in medicine and cosmetics. The aim of this study was to perform morpho-anatomical analyses of the raw material, including secretory tissues, histochemical assays of the location of lipophilic compounds, and quantitative and qualitative analysis of essential oil (EO). Light and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to analyse plant structures. The qualitative analyses of EO were carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results of this study showed the presence of exogenous secretory structures in the raw material, i.e., conical cells (papillae) on the adaxial surface of petal teeth and biseriate glandular trichomes on the surface flowers, bracts, stems, and leaves. Canal-shaped endogenous secretory tissue was observed in the stems and leaves. The histochemical assays revealed the presence of total, acidic, and neutral lipids as well as EO in the glandular trichome cells. Additionally, papillae located at the petal teeth contained neutral lipids. Sesquiterpenes were detected in the glandular trichomes and petal epidermis cells. The secretory canals in the stems were found to contain total and neutral lipids. The phytochemical assays demonstrated that the A. millefolium subsp. millefolium flowers contained over 2.5-fold higher amounts of EO (6.1 mL/kg) than the herb (2.4 mL/kg). The EO extracted from the flowers and herb had a similar dominant compounds: β-pinene, bornyl acetate, (E)-nerolidol, 1,8-cineole, borneol, sabinene, camphor, and α-pinene. Both EO samples had greater amounts of monoterpenes than sesquiterpenes. Higher amounts of oxygenated monoterpenes and oxygenated sesquiterpenoids were detected in the EO from the herb than from the flowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for the determination of cosmosiin in herb of yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been developed. The content of the dominant flavonoid cosmosiin (apigenin 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside) in yarrow herb varied from 0.52 ± 0.01% to 0.66 ± 0.02%. The error of a single determination of the cosmosiin content in A. millefolium herb was ±5.28% with confidence probability 95%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the biologically beneficial oils against many ailments is Achillea fragrantissima essential oil (EO). The current study focused on the comprehensive comparative chemical characterization of A. fragrantissima EOs, which were gathered from Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as well as evaluation of their allelopathic, antioxidant, and antibacterial functions. With a respective total oil mass of 96.9% and 96.1%, 40 compounds were found in the EOs from Saudi Arabia (38 compounds) and Egypt (26 compounds). Terpenes represented the main constituents including mono- (52.6% and 75.4% from Saudi Arabia and Egypt, respectively) and sesquiterpenoids (42.1% and 19.7%, respectively). The α-thujone (12.0%), myrcenyl acetate (10.3%), alloaromadendrene oxide-(1) (5.9%), artemisia ketone (4.9%), β-thujone (4.7%), lavandulol (4.2%), and santolina alcohol (4.0%) represented the main components of the overall oil of the Saudi Arabian plant-derived EO. However, the main constituents of the EO of the Egyptian plant were 4-terpineol (17.4%), myrcenyl acetate (9.1%), artemisia ketone (9.0%), α-thujone (8.6%), yomogi alcohol (6.2%), santolina alcohol (6.2%), and β-thujone (5.8%). The chemometric analysis exhibited a strong association between the two EOs from Saudi Arabia and Egypt in addition to the samples collected from Jordan. The Saudi and Egyptian A. fragrantissima' EOs were found to have significant allelopathic potencies against the weed C. murale. The seed germination, seedling shoot growth, and root growth of C. murale were all reduced by the EO of the Saudi ecospecies by 79.9, 56.7, and 68.6%, respectively, with IC50 values of 66.5, 68.0, and 69.2 µL L−1, respectively. The two oils from Saudi Arabia and Egypt exhibited potent antioxidant activity against the DPPH free radicals, with IC50 values of 30.94 and 28.72 mg/L, respectively. In addition, the two oils from Saudi Arabia and Egypt exhibited strong abilities to scavenge ABTS radicals with respective IC50 values of 39.02 and 37.13 mg/L. Additionally, the two EOs showed a much higher antibacterial activity than the antibiotics tested against all bacterial strains, with the exception of Enterobacter cloacae. The two oils exhibited antibacterial activity against the examined strains, except Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella typhimurium, for which the Egyptian species shown greater inhibition. The results revealed that Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis were more sensitive, while Enterobacter cloacae was more resistant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current studies are focused on medicinal plants secondary metabolites as a source of new anticancer agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro influence of methanolic extracts of Achillea thracica Velen. from natural habitat, in vitro propagated and ex vitro established plants on tumor cells proliferation/viability. All extract tested (50 µg/ml for 24 hours) significantly inhibited SK-HEP-1 cell line proliferation/viability (Р ≤ 0.05). The inhibitory effect of ex vitro established plants was slightly weaker in comparison with A. thracica grown in its natural habitat. So, ex situ conservation of A. thracica enables an opportunity to explore its valuable phytochemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: The Achillea genus, part of the Asteraceae family, is native to the Northern Hemisphere, from Europe to Asia. These plants thrive in temperate climates and are often found in dry or semi-dry conditions. This research aimed to examine the therapeutic uses of Achillea plants, drawing from traditional medicine texts and laboratory and clinical studies. Methods: This narrative review involved a comprehensive search of major scientific databases to gather information on Achillea and its extracts from native or endemic species within the Achillea genus. The review spanned several decades and utilized sources such as Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, Institute for Scientific Information Web of Science, and botanical and local books (1990 - present). Results: Achillea is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of gynecological problems, diabetes control, gastrointestinal disorders, side effects of cancer such as mucositis caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, skin reactions caused by radiotherapy, treatment of prostate cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and human gastric cancer. Conclusion: Considering the role of medicinal herbs in improving the side effects of cancer, treating certain types of cancer, controlling diabetes, and treating gastrointestinal problems, it is recommended to use this plant as a complementary medicine alongside routine treatments.

Introduction and purpose: The house fly, Musca domestia L., is one of the most common health pests around the world, and its control is important due to the transmission of human pathogens, especially in unfavorable health conditions. Considering that plant essential oils are appropriate alternative to organic chemical insecticides, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of the essential oils of eucalyptus and yarrow in controlling the house flies. Methods: The essential oils of yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and eucalyptus (Eucapyptus glbulus) were extracted using a distillation apparatus. Concentrations of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% of the essential oils were prepared separately. Male and female house flies aged 2-3 days were exposed separately to the essential oils using spraying, treated surface, and bait methods. The collected data were analyzed using ANOVA and probit analysis in SPSS 24 software. Results: The obtained findings showed that spraying yarrow and eucalyptus essential oils had better efficacy against the house fly with LC50 values of 9.8% and 10.8% and LC90 values of 25.1% and 29.8%, respectively, compared to the treated surface and bait methods. Conclusion: The essential oils of eucalyptus and yarrow plants have potential to control the house flies in human dwellings due to their lethal properties and high safety. However, to use these essential oils as insecticidal compounds for house fly control, more research under field conditions is needed.

The main aim of this study is antimicrobial screening of the n-hexane, ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts obtained from aerial parts of Achillea setacea Waldst. & Kit. and Achillea coarctata Poir. against the bacterial strains Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 14028 and the yeast Candida albicans ATCC 6633 by the microdilution method. In addition, the effect of the aqueous extract of A. coarctata combined with fluconazole againts C. albicans ATCC 6633, C. parapsilosis ATCC 22019, C. tropicalis ATCC 750 and C. glabrata ATCC 90030 was tested with the checkerboard method. The chemical components of the volatiles and fatty acid methyl esters were identified using the Gas Chromatography (GC) and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) techniques. The main components of the volatile oil were found to be 1,8-cineole (16.1%) and β-pinene (14.5%) for A. setacea and camphor (35.4%) and borneol (12.9%) for A. coarctata. The ethyl acetate extracts of A. setacea (MIC=156.25 µg/mL) and A. coarctata (MIC=312.5 µg/mL) were found more active against the tested Candida Berkh. species. The combination of aqueous extract of A. coarctata with fluconazole showed additive effect for the tested Candida species with FIC values within the range of 0.53-0.625 µg/mL [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the impact of yarrow and ginger powder on the digestibility and gas production of sainfoin and alfalfa hay in laboratory conditions. The study found that adding 3% of ginger and yarrow powder to sainfoin hay increased the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and metabolizable energy. However, the addition of yarrow and ginger powder did not significantly affect the digestibility of organic matter, gas production, or nutritional parameters in alfalfa hay or a mixture of alfalfa and sainfoin. The study concludes that adding 1.5% and 3% levels of yarrow and ginger powder did not improve gas production. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Achillea millefolium L. is used in official medicine of many countries. One of important diagnostic features of A. millefolium raw material is the ultrastructure of the leaf epidermis, which can be used for distinguishing A. millefolium from closely related species. Objective: The purpose of this article is to present the results of an original study of the leaf surface ultrastructure of six related species of Achillea and to identify additional diagnostic features. Methods: From each taxon, 20 samples of middle cauline leaves were taken and analysed with light (LM) or scanning electron (SEM) microscopy. Results: The studied species differ in the degree of sinuosity of anticlinal walls of basic epidermal cells and their projections, the type and presence of epicuticular wax, the type of relief of the leaf surface and the type of cuticle. On both surfaces of the leaf lamina, there is a complex pubescence formed by uniseriate non-glandular and biseriate glandular trichomes; their structure is similar, but the size and localization are sometimes different. Conclusion: It is possible to clearly distinguish the raw materials of any of the studied Achillea species from other taxa only with the help of the whole complex of the analysed species-specific micromorphological features of the leaf epidermis. This study is aimed at facilitating the identification of yarrow raw materials and can be used in the future for the development of regulatory documents for this herbal medicinal material, at least within the limits of the territory of Ukraine and adjacent territories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of Achilllea L. genus are widely used against dermatological disorders in traditional medicine. An increasing number of experimental studies indicated that these species are an important source of ailments against such conditions. Besides, clinical studies yield supportive results about the dermatological effects of the genus. However, the number of studies stating the mechanisms of actions is quite scarce. A. clypeolata Sn. grows naturally in the Thrace region of Turkiye, and is used against various health problems in folk medicine. The methanolic extract prepared from the aerial parts of the plant (ACM) was subjected to a series of tests focusing on the mechanisms of dermatological activity. First, in vitro antioxidant screening tests, including DPPH, CUPRAC, FRAP and TOAC were applied. Then, the inhibitory potential of ACM against skin-related enzymes such as collagenase, elastase and hyaluronidase was measured. For a more detailed profiling of the activity, human dermal fibroblast cells (HDFs) treated with H 2 O 2 were given varying concentrations of ACM. WST-1 analysis was carried out for the assessment of cell viability, and DCFDA (2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate) method was employed for the measurement of cellular antioxidant activity. In addition, the inhibitory potentials of ACM against matrix metalloproteinase -2 and -9 enzymes, which are responsible for the degradation of extracellular matrix components in the skin, were also tested. The total phenolic (26.02 ± 1.04 mg GAE/g dry extract) and flavonoid (12.85 ± 0.69 mg QE/g dry extract) contents of ACM were calculated with the activity tests. Also, for a comprehensive quantitative analysis, LC-MS/MS analysis was carried out. All of the data gained from the mentioned tests and analysis revealed the high capacity of ACM in dermatological conditions such as the inhibitory potential enzymes associated with skin aging. Phytochemical profiling studies showed that the extract is rich in phenolic compounds, specifically chlorogenic acid, hesperidin and hyperoside. Data obtained from this study suggest that A. clypeolata may act as a natural source of skin-active ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this project, domestication of one of the wild flowering plants, Achillea millefolium L. (yarrow plant) was done to find out its resistance to drought stress condition. Plant samples were collected from the Isfahan region of Iran and were further multiplied by divisions of plants. The study was conducted on the improvement of seeds germination using GA3, morphological and phenological study and to estimate drought tolerance of yarrow plants. The seeds of selected plants were treated with GA3 hormone (0, 250 and 500 ppm) to break the dormancy and improve the germination percentage. GA3 treatment improved the seed quality parameters and the best results were obtained with GA3 @ 500 ppm. The plants propagated through division were cultivated in the field for the domestication of plants and to estimate their potential for landscape purposes. Also, the Phenological cycle of plants was monitored. Attractive flowers, Long duration of flowering and applying green cover during the year was positive points of yarrow for using in the landscape. Irrigation was applied at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% levels of available water from April to September. Morphological and physiological parameters showed that A. millefolium could significantly tolerate drought treatments until 50% of available water and even at 75%, plants could survive and produce new stems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In arid and semiarid systems, positive effects of nurse shrubs generally occur immediately underneath and around shrub canopies, creating microsites that can be targeted to promote plant establishment in restoration settings. Alternatively, the best microsites may occur in the interspace zone immediately surrounding nurse shrubs if positive abiotic effects extend beyond nurse shrub canopy boundaries and if competition with nurse shrubs is reduced in that zone. In the Intermountain West, U.S.A., we investigated survival of transplanted herbaceous seedlings at different distances from Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis) canopies. We planted two native perennial forb species, Munro's globemallow (Sphaeralcea munroana) and common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and two native perennial grass species, bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) and bottlebrush squirreltail (Elymus elymoides), at four distances from sagebrush canopies at six sites across the Intermountain West, repeated across 2 years. Under above‐normal precipitation, proximity to sagebrush influenced first‐year survival of the forb, but not grass, species. Globemallow and yarrow survival were highest mid‐way between the canopy dripline and maximum interspace distance between neighboring sagebrush plants. Ground cover characteristics and globemallow survival covaried with respect to distance from shrub, suggesting ground cover characteristics as indicators of suitable planting microsites. Under drier conditions, survival of all species was low and unaffected by distance from canopies. Our results demonstrate the value of fine‐tuning the canopy‐interspace paradigm to more carefully consider how plant performance may differ across zones within the interspace region between plants, especially when the goal is to maximize plant establishment in nondrought years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achillea millefolium Linn. is an aromatic edible plant used traditionally for the remediation of wounds, liver disorders, and as an herbal tea for the treatment of various gastrointestinal disorders. The plant's volatile oils have economical value in cosmetic preparation and as an insect repellant. The essential oils obtained from different plant parts, i.e., leaves, stems, and aerial portions, by hydrodistillation and by non-polar solvents, i.e., n-hexane and diethyl ether, were phytochemically analyzed and biologically investigated from the plant species cultivated in Saudi Arabia for their potential antioxidant and anticancer activities. The GC-analysis revealed substantial variations among the major constituents and classes of volatile oils in all batches of the plant, characterized by the significant high percentages of monoterpenes, e.g., myrcene, 1,8 cineole, camphor, α-thujone, and β-thujone, in the distilled oils and sesquiterpenes in the non-polar extracts of the plant. Furthermore, the ketonic monoterpenes α-thujone and β-thujone were found to be the most representative compounds in the distilled and extracted batches of the plant. Variable antioxidant activity of different batches of the plant was recognized; however, distilled batches of leaves, stems, and aerial parts exhibited better total antioxidant activity (TAA) compared to the plant’s non-polar extracts. With the little cytotoxic activity of distilled batches, the non-polar extracts exhibited remarkable cytotoxic effects against Panc-1 and MCF-7-Adr (35 and 43.3 μg/mL and 41.3 and 57.1, respectively, in the n-hexane and diethyl ether extracts), which were attributed to their comparatively higher contents of germacrene D, viridiflorol, and caryophyllene oxide. The n-hexane extract induced a concentration- and time-dependent apoptotic effect in Panc-1 and MCF-7 Adr cells, as observed by staining with FITC/PI and flow cytometry analysis. The docking simulation of the major n-hexane extract constituents indicated the prospective mechanism behind the ability of the extract to inhibit MCF-7-Adr cells by inhibiting P-glycoprotein/multidrug resistance 1/adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette.

Agastache urticifolia (Benth.) Kuntze (horsemint), Achillea millefolium L. (yarrow), and Perideridia gairdneri (Hook. & Arn.) Mathias (yampah) are native, culturally important plants that grow in the subalpine meadows of Montana. Analysis of the composition of essential oils extracted from these plants showed that the main components of essential oils obtained from flowers and leaves of A. urticifolia (designated as AUF/AUL) were menthone (2.7/25.7%), isomenthone (2.6/29.1%), pulegone (78.9/28.8%), and limonene (4.2/6.2%), whereas essential oils obtained from the inflorescence of A. millefolium (designated as AMI) were high in α-thujone (17.1%) and β-thujone (14.9%), 1,8-cineole (17.0%), camphor (13.0%), sabinene (7.0%), guaia-3,9-dien-11-ol (3.2%), and terpinen-4-ol (2.5%). Essential oils obtained from the inflorescence of P. gairdneri (designated as PGI) contained high amounts of dillapiole (30.3%), p-cymen-8-ol (14.1%), terpinolene (12.0%), 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-cyclohex-2-enone (6.2%), and γ-terpinene (2.4%). Evaluation of their immunomodulatory activity demonstrated that essential oils extracted from all of these plants could activate human neutrophils with varying efficacy. Analysis of individual components showed that dillapiole activated human neutrophil intracellular Ca2+ flux ([Ca2+]i) (EC50 = 19.3 ± 1.4 μM), while α-thujone, β-thujone, menthone, isomenthone, and pulegone were inactive. Since dillapiole activated neutrophils, we also evaluated if it was able to down-regulate neutrophil responses to subsequent agonist activation and found that pretreatment with dillapiole inhibited neutrophil activation by the chemoattractant fMLF (IC50 = 34.3 ± 2.1 μM). Pretreatment with P. gairdneri essential oil or dillapiole also inhibited neutrophil chemotaxis induced by fMLF, suggesting these treatments could down-regulate human neutrophil responses to inflammatory chemoattractants. Thus, dillapiole may be a novel modulator of human neutrophil function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel silver nanoparticles were synthesized based on a simple and non-toxic method by applying the green synthesis technique, using, for the first time, the aqueous extract of an extremophile plant belonging to the Achillea maritima subsp. maritima species. AgNP characterization was performed via UV-Visible, front-face fluorescence spectroscopy, and FTIR and XRD analyses. AgNP formation was immediately confirmed by a color change from yellow to brown and by a surface plasmon resonance peak using UV-Vis spectroscopy at 420 nm. The biosynthesized AgNPs were spherical in shape with a size ranging from approximatively 14.13 to 21.26 nm. The presented silver nanoparticles exhibited strong antioxidant activity following a DPPH assay compared to ascorbic acid, with IC50 values of about 0.089 µg/mL and 22.54 µg/mL, respectively. The AgNPs showed higher antidiabetic capacities than acarbose, by inhibiting both alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase. The silver nanoparticles could affect various bacterial mechanisms of virulence, such as EPS production, biofilm formation and DNA damage. The silver nanoparticles showed no lysozyme activity on the cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria. The AgNPs also had a strong inhibitory effect on the Candida albicans virulence factor (extracellular enzymes, biofilm formation). The microscopic observation showed abnormal morphogenesis and agglomeration of Candida albicans exposed to AgNPs. The AgNPs showed no cytotoxic effect on human cells in an MTT assay. The use of novel silver nanoparticles is encouraged in the formulation of natural antimicrobial and antidiabetic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology is a branch of science and engineering that involves the manipulation, production, and design of materials and devices at a nanoscale level. The prefix "nano" represents one billionth of a meter, and at this size, the physical and chemical characteristics of materials can be distinct from those of larger objects. This can result in new properties that can be exploited for a variety of uses. In recent times, biological methods for the synthesis of nanoparticles have become popular because they offer several advantages over traditional chemical and physical processes. One significant benefit is that biological approaches use less energy and time. Additionally, they are environmentally friendly because they do not use toxic solvents or dangerous materials. In this experiment, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized using Achillea wilhelmsii extract as the reducing agent. 40 mL of Achillea Wilhelmsii extract was gradually added to 60 mL of zinc nitrate solution with a concentration of 1 M. Spectrophotometric analysis of the solution revealed an absorption maximum at 370 nm, signaling the existence of ZnO NPs. Scanning Electron Microscopy, or SEM analysis showed the nanoparticles to have a spherical morphology with diameter ranging from 38-60 nm. Particle Size Analysis (PSA) showed that the nanoparticles were between 35 and 218 nm in size. This study demonstrated that it is possible to create ZnO NPs using a safe biological process that does not require the use of hazardous chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Achillea millefolium L. is one of the most known medicinal plants with a broad spectrum of applications in the treatment of inflammation, pain, microbial infections and gastrointestinal disorders. In recent years, the extracts from A. millefolium have also been applied in cosmetics with cleansing, moisturizing, shooting, conditioning and skin-lightening properties. The growing demand for naturally derived active substances, worsening environmental pollution and excessive use of natural resources are causing increased interest in the development of alternative methods for the production of plant-based ingredients. In vitro plant cultures are an eco-friendly tool for continuous production of desired plant metabolites, with increasing applicability in cosmetics and dietary supplements. The purpose of the study was to compare phytochemical composition and antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory properties of aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts from A. millefolium obtained from field conditions (AmL and AmH extracts) and in vitro cultures (AmIV extracts). In vitro microshoot cultures of A. millefolium were obtained directly from seeds and harvested following 3 weeks of culture. Extracts prepared in water, 50% ethanol and 96% ethanol were compared for the total polyphenolic content, phytochemical content using the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-hr-qTOF/MS), antioxidant activity by DPPH scavenging assay and the influence on the activity of mushroom and murine tyrosinases. The phytochemical content of AmIV extracts was significantly different from AmL and AmH extracts. Most of the polyphenolic compounds identified in AmL and AmH extracts were present in AmIV extracts only in trace amounts and the major constituents presented in AmIV extracts were fatty acids. The total content of polyphenols in AmIV exceeded 0.25 mg GAE/g of dried extract, whereas AmL and AmH extracts contained from 0.46 ± 0.01 to 2.63 ± 0.11 mg GAE/g of dried extract, depending on the solvent used. The low content of polyphenols was most likely responsible for the low antioxidant activity of AmIV extracts (IC50 values in DPPH scavenging assay >400 µg/mL) and the lack of tyrosinase inhibitory properties. AmIV extracts increased the activity of mushroom tyrosinase and tyrosinase present in B16F10 murine melanoma cells, whereas AmL and AmH extracts showed significant inhibitory potential. The presented data indicated that microshoot cultures of A. millefolium require further experimental research before they can be implemented as a valuable raw material for the cosmetics industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antiproliferative activity of Achillea vermicularis extracts was calculated on glial (C6) and keratinocyte (HaCaT) cell lines using XTT assay. It was observed that all extracts of A. vermicularis at the determined concentration were not cytotoxic in HaCaT cell lines. The nanoparticles (NPs) of the extract with the best cytotoxic activity was prepared, and necessary characterization studies were performed. Results showed that NP containing the extract has a lower IC50 value and more cytotoxic activity in C6 cells compared to the only extract. Furthermore, the antiepileptic potentials of these substances were explored in this study. The effect of A. vermicularis extracts on the enzyme activities of carbonic anhydrase I and II isoenzymes (hCA I and hCA II) was measured using spectrophotometry to achieve this goal. A. vermicularis extracts demonstrated high inhibitory activities compared to standard inhibitor (acetazolamide, AAZ), with IC50 values in the range of 5.04–10.8 μg/ml for hCA I, and 5.40–9.22 μg/ml for hCA II. High‐performance liquid chromatography diode array detector (HPLC‐DAD) was used in this investigation to assess the main chemicals found in the extract and NPs. The results showed that the ethanol extract (157.636 μg/mg extract) and NPs (4.631 μg/mg extract) had a significant amount of the 8‐hydroxy salvigenin component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achillea fragrantissima, a desert plant commonly known as yarrow, is traditionally used as an antimicrobial agent in folklore medicine in Saudi Arabia. The current study was undertaken to determine its antibiofilm activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multi-drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR-P. aeruginosa) using in vitro and in vivo studies. A biofilm model induced through an excision wound in diabetic mice was used to evaluate its effect in vivo. The skin irritation and cytotoxic effects of the extract were determined using mice and HaCaT cell lines, respectively. The Achillea fragrantissima methanolic extract was analyzed with LC-MS to detect different phytoconstituents, which revealed the presence of 47 different phytoconstituents. The extract inhibited the growth of both tested pathogens in vitro. It also increased the healing of biofilm-formed excision wounds, demonstrating its antibiofilm, antimicrobial, and wound-healing action in vivo. The effect of the extract was concentration-dependent, and its activity was stronger against MRSA than MDR-P. aeruginosa. The extract formulation was devoid of a skin irritation effect in vivo and cytotoxic effect on HaCaT cell lines in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Villalva et al. evaluated the potential utility of an Achillea millefolium (yarrow) extract in the control of H. pylori infection. The agar-well diffusions bioassay was applied to determine the antimicrobial activity of yarrow extracts. The supercritical anti-solvent fractionation process of yarrow extract was made to give two different fractions with polar phenolic compounds and monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, respectively. Phenolic compounds were identified by HPLC-ESIMS by using the accurate masses of [M−H]− ions and the characteristic product ions. However, some of the reported product ions seem to be disputable, as described below. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]