Variation in Essential Oil Composition, Bioactive Compounds, Anatomical and Antioxidant Activity of Achillea aucheri, an Endemic Species of Iran, at Different Phenological Stages

Abstract

In the present research, the essential oil composition, bioactive compounds, anatomical and antioxidant activity of Achillea aucheri were investigated at four phenological stages. The yield of essential oil ranged from 0.1 % (five leaves appearance stage) to 0.7 % (full flowering stage). So, the oils from the plants harvested at the full flowering stage provided higher essential oil contents than those at other stages. The analysis of the essential oils by GC/MS revealed the presence of a large number of components represented mainly by oxygenated monoterpenes (24.36-77.81 %). The compounds revealed high variation at different phenological stages. The major constituents of A. aucheri were carvacrol (1.07-19.17 %), camphor (5.44-9.99 %), δ-cadinene (0.20-13.88 %), thymol (2.15-7.80 %), germacrene D (4.50-7.24 %), 1,8-cineole (1.62-5.54 %) and α-terpineol (1.71-3.42 %). The total phenolic (51.63 mg tannic acid/g DW) and flavonoid (10.88 mg quercetin/g W) contents were more accumulated at the 50 % flowering stage than others. The results revealed that the accumulation of essential oil in A. aucheri increased as the plant grew from the five leaves appearance stage to the 100 % flowering stage with increasing the size and number of secretory structures. Finally, the extracts collected at the 50 % flowering stage showed the highest antioxidant activity as measured based on FTC and DPPH method with the IC values ranging from 719.65 μg/mL to 1039.17 μg/mL for the samples.

Evaluation of Phytochemical Compositions and Biological Properties of Achillea gypsicola at Different Phenological Stages

“…In previous study, the yield of the volatile oil of A. gypsicola was found to be 0.65 % . On the other hand, the yields of volatile oils in Achillea species have been reported by many investigators range from 0.05 to 2.70 % . According to the average values of reported yields, the oil yields in our samples were above average.…”

“…In another study, Afshari and Rahimmalek reported that they found different values of antioxidant activity at different growth stages of A. aucheri and while they obtained the highest antioxidant activity at the 50 % flowering stage, they determined the lowest value at 5‐leaf stage. In many studies, it has been reported that the antioxidant capacity of the extracts is thanks to phenolic compounds .…”

“…On the other hand, Mirahmadi and Norouzi reported that the highest antioxidant activity of A. biebersteinii species was found at the 50 % flowering stage, while the lowest activity was determined at 5‐leaf stage. In another study, Afshari and Rahimmalek reported that the highest antioxidant activity of A. aucheri species was determined at the 50 % flowering stage, while the lowest activity was obtained at 5‐leaf stage. So far, many studies have shown that the phenolic compounds (phenolic acids and flavonoids) of Achillea species are correlated with antioxidant activity .…”

“…This variation in bioactive components changes depending on genetics and environmental factors, harvesting times and phenological stages . For example, while accumulation of piperitone, thymol and carvacrol increased at 100 % flowering stage, accumulation of 1,8‐cineole and germacrene D decreased in the stage in A. aucheri …”

A Detailed Biological and Chemical Investigation of Sixteen Achillea Species’ Essential Oils via Chemometric Approach

“…Herbal teas, prepared from some species of this genus, are frequently used for diuretic, abdominal pain, diarrhea, gastric gas and menstruation regulator, wound healing purposes and essential oils and various extracts of these species have been reported to have anti‐inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, spasmolytic, human erythrocyte and leukocyte protective, hemostatic, digestive and cholagogue effects . In addition, Achillea species are used in cosmetics for the production of fragrance and for plant protection in agriculture . A. aleppica DC.…”