Radical scavenging activity of ethanolic extracts from six species from genus Achillea

Antioxidants and free radical scavengers are of great importance in terms of preventing oxidative stress that may cause several degenerative diseases. Due to the toxic effects of some synthetic compounds, natural-plant derived antioxidants have received growing attention. They are known to function as chemopreventive agents against oxidative damage. The aim of the present study was to examine the radical scavenging capacity of the ethanolic extracts of six Achillea species (A. micrantha Willd., A. filipendula Lam., A. millefolium L. subsp. millefolium, A. tenuifolia Lam., A. vermicularis Trin. and A. wilhelmsii C. Koch) found in Iran. Achillea species are well known in Iranian traditional medicine as highly effective medicinal plants for various purposes such as the treatment of abdominal pain, inflammation, hemorrhage, rheumatic pain, menstrual disorders, etc. The in vitro radical scavenging property of the ethanolic extracts was examined using the DPPH test. The total flavonoid content (TFC) in the extracts were determined by AlCl₃ method and calculated as rutin. All botanical extract exhibited significant radical scavenging activityies. A. micrantha showed the greatest capacity (IC₅₀ =58.17µg/mL), whereas the lowest IC₅₀ value of 118.90µg/mL was detected in A. wilhelmsii. The herb of A. vermicularis contained the highest content of flavonoid (58.17µg/mg).