Evaluation of antioxidant, antimalarial and xanthine oxidase inhibitory effects of Achillea filipendulina Lam

Abstract

Introduction: Achillea filipendulina (family: Asteraceae) is an ornamental plant with various biological and pharmaceutical properties. In this study, the anti- malarial, antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory effects of essential oil, different extracts, and the fractions of potent extracts of this species have been evaluated. Scope: This study was designed to evaluate the anti-oxidant, anti-malarial and xanthin oxidase inhibitory activities of A. filipendulina as one of the Iranian species. Additionally, preliminary phytochemical investigation of the potent extract was performed. Material and method: A. filipendulina aerial parts were extracted with n-hexane, dichloromethan, and methanol (MeOH) by Soxhlet apparatus, in the order of their polarity. Free radical scavenging , anti-malarial and xanthin oxidase inhibitory activities were investigated via DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), cell-free β-hematin formation and XO-induced superoxide formation methods, respectively. In the next step, methanolic and dichloromethane extracts were subjected to Sep-pak and VLC fractionation as the most potent parts, respectively.Then, thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used for the characterization of potent fractions and essential oil. Results: Among different extracts of A. filipendulina aerial parts, methanolic extract showed the most potent antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory agent and dichloromethane extract was the stronger part in anti-malarial assay. Moreover, 40% sep-pak fraction of methanolic extract showed strong free-radical scavenging and inhibitory xanthine oxidase activities. Moreover, the 80% VLC fraction of dichloromethane extracts demonstrated potent inhibitory activities on Beta-hematin formation assay. Furthermore, TLC analysis of potent fractions revealed active constituents such as flavonoids. Furthermore, Santolina alcohol with amount of 17.95% was the main compound of essential oil in GCMS analysis. Conclusion: It seems that more studies on A. filipendulina are necessary to focus on its pure compounds and their biological activities.