Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity Achillea millefolium L. Essential Oils

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The A. millefolium EO showed the high radical scavenging activity (IC50: 23.11 ± 0.04 mg/ ml), more than trolox (23.51 ± 0.05 mg/ml). Table 3 also shows the results of β-carotene bleaching inhibition based on the loss of the yellow color of β-carotene due to its reaction with radicals produced during linoleic acid oxidation in an emulsion. The A.millefolium oil (2.05 ± 0.01 μl/ml) was better than the trolox (2.06 ± 0.0 μl/ml). Compared to Trolox the A. millefolium exhibited stronger antioxidant activity. Recent reports indicate that the Achillea genus displays a relevant antioxidant activity that is associated or correlated well with its flavonoid and total phenolic contents 16. Components identified and their antioxidant activity relative percentages have been showed in Table 3. The major compound found in the active band were thymol (71 %) and carvacrol (16 %) (Table 2). In conclusion, it is worthwhile to screen the commonly used plants from the local flora for different biological activities because they might present a new alternative source for possible

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