Comparison of the Phenolic Compound Profile and Antioxidant Potential of Achillea atrata L. and Achillea millefolium L.

Abstract

In the present study, Achillea atrata L. and A. millefolium L. were compared for the first time with regard to their phenolic compound profile and antioxidant activity by applying the 2,2-diphenyl-picryl hydrazyl radical assay. For this purpose, aerial plant parts were consecutively extracted with solvents of increasing polarity (dichloromethane, n-butanol, ethyl acetate), revealing that the A. atrata ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 12.2 ± 0.29 µg/mL compared to 17.0 ± 0.26 µg/mL for A. millefolium. Both species revealed the presence of luteolin, apigenin, centaureidin, and nevadensin exclusively in this most polar fraction, which are known as effective 2,2-diphenyl-picryl hydrazyl radical scavengers. The antioxidant capacity of the aforementioned fractions strikingly correlated with their total phenolic contents, which was highest in the ethyl acetate fraction of A. atrata. Characterization of the metabolite profiles of both Achillea species showed only marginal differences in the presence of key compounds, whereas the concentrations of individual compounds appeared to be species-specific. Our results suggest that A. atrata, based on its compound pattern and bioactivity characteristics, has similar qualities for phytotherapy as A. millefolium.

Extraction of Bioactive Metabolites from Achillea millefolium L. with Choline Chloride Based Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents: A Study of the Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity

“…Chemical characterization of MeOH, EtOH, or aqueous A. millefolium extracts confirmed the presence of various bioactive compounds, dominated by chlorogenic acid, isomers of dicaffeoylquinic acids, and flavonoids [7,14,17,51]. In our particular case, seven different phenolic compounds were identified by HPLC-MS and HPLC-UV, quantified in all of the obtained extracts (Figure 2 and Table 2).…”

“…Although the antioxidant properties of A. millefolium have been evaluated previously and reported [7,14,16,17,51], a direct comparison of the results is difficult due to the different ways in which the results are expressed by the authors. For example, Vladić et al reported an ABTS value of 1730.84 µg TE mL −1 under the optimized SWE extraction conditions (temperature 198 • C, extraction time 16.5 min, and without acidifier) [17], while Villalva et al determined an ABTS value of 0.345 ± 0.002 mmol TE g −1 for the extract obtained by supercritical anti-solvent fractionation (SAF) [7].…”

Phytochemistry and Evidence-Based Traditional Uses of the Genus Achillea L.: An Update (2011–2021)

“…Two flavones bearing a methoxy group attached to C-7 or C-3 were reported once, namely 7-O-methyl apigenin (3) (from A. ligustica) [35] and chrysoeriol (20) (from A. millefolium) [40], respectively. Moreover, other methylated flavonoids, such as cirsiliol (22) and cirsimaritin (4), were reported for A. fragrantissima [31,33]; salvigenin (5) for A. millefolium [41] and A. wilhelmsi [50]; and 8-hydroxysalvigenin (6) was identified for A. lycaonica A. monocephala and A. vermicularis [36,42,49]. Moreover, eupatorin (21) was reported for A. alpina and A. tenuifolia [17,48], while eupatilin 7-methyl ether (5-demethylsinensetin) (23) for A. wilhelmsii [25].…”

“…More precisely, decoctions of this plant were used to treat arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, congestions, gastrointestinal disorders, gout, and malaria, and as a diuretic, anthelmintic, and purgative agent [79]. Antioxidant and antimicrobial effects have been reported for this plant [22,105].…”

“…Moreover, in the folk medicine of the Middle East, this plant is reputed for its antidiabetic properties [31], and more specifically, in the Arabia region, A. fragrantissima is used for the treatment of respiratory diseases and gastrointestinal disturbances [81]. Additionally, cirsiliol (22) isolated from A. fragrantissima caused the relaxation of contracted rats' proximal aortas, tracheas, urinary bladders, and uteruses [106]. Furthermore, the ethanolic extract of the plant was tested for its anti-inflammatory effects on lipopolysaccharide-activated primary cultures of brain microglial cells, suggesting that phytochemicals from this extract could be beneficial in preventing/treating neurodegenerative diseases [81].…”