Biochemical investigation of yarrow extracts (Achillea millefolium L.)

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) has been considered medicinal plant ever since in our folk medicine, and has been known also by European and Central Asian peoples. Its leaves (Millefolii folium), flowers (Millefolii flos) and whole plant (Millefolii herba) have been used as therapeutic agents. Yarrow has always been considered medically very effective as aromatic, tonic, stomatic, stimulus, antispasmodic, emanagon, and antipyretic. It is also very effective against hemorrhoids, katarrh of stomack and intestines, malfunction of kidneys and liver, etc. Achillein was shown to exhibit hemostatic effects and the leaf extract diminishes the development of pathogens. Tannins and essential oils prevent festering of wounds, accelerate their healing, and decrease pain. Ethanol extract of yarrow (most active compounds: stahidrin and pyrocatechol) has repulsive effect on mosquitoes (Aedes aerypti L.), especially by larvicide effect. Other effects such as antihemorrhalgic and sedative, tonic, antispasmogenic, antipyretic, analgesic, adstrigonic, carminative, diaphoretic, antimycotic and antineoplastic have been described. Pretreatment with extracts of Achillea millefolium leaves and flowers significantly reduced LPx values in liver homogenate. Combination of Achillea millefolium extract (leaves and flowers) and CCl4 also reduced LPx (compared to animals treated with CCl4, and even to untreated animals). As for CAT activity, extract of leaves reduced activity of CAT. It is interesting to point to the effect of "intoxication" with CCl4 caused decrease of CAT, as did combination of Achillea millefolium extracts (leaves and flowers) and CCl4. Activity of XOD was enhanced upon administration of Achillea millefolium extract (leaves and flowers), while CCl4 had no effect on XOD activity, nor had combination of extract and CCl4. Content of GSH has not changed upon treatment with Achillea millefolium leaves and flowers extract, but it was statistically significantly reduced upon intoxication with CCl4 and with combination extracts/CCl4, which points to important hepatoprotective role of GSH, i.e. its antioxidative activity. Activity of GSHP(x) was reduced in a very high degree in all cases of treatment with extracts alone or with combination of extracts and CCl4. LPx content was reduced after treatment with extract of Achillea millefolium leaves, and statistically very significantly enhanced after administration of CCl4. Combination of extracts of Achillea millefolium leaves and flowers also caused decrease of LPx compared to control (untreated animals) and to control with CCl4-pretreated animals. Extract of leaves had no effect on XOD activity, alone or in combination with CCl4. Px was influenced only by treatment with CCl4, and Px activity was enhanced. Content of GSH was decreased in hemolysate (as well as in liver homogenate) upon treatment with CCl4 and with combination of flower extract and CCl4. Activities of transaminases (AST and ALT) were enhanced after treatment with CCl4, and with extracts of flowers and leaves in combination with CCl4.