Planta Med 2007; 73 - P_179
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-986960

Ecological factors, chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oil from Achillea millefolium L. in the north of Iran

M Mazandarani 1, B Behmanesh 2, MB Rezaei 3, EO Ghaemi 4
  • 1Islamic Azad University, Gorgan Branch. Po.Box: Gorgan –49175–384, Iran
  • 2Faculty Range Management Gorgan University, Iran
  • 3Forests and Rangeland Institute, Tehran, Iran
  • 4Golestan University of Medical Sciences

This research was designed to investigate the autecology, ethnobotany, chemical composition and antibacterial activity of Achillea millefolium L. locally called “Maramboo“, which has been used by the rural healers of Golestan province for healing wounds, digestive disorders, dysmenorrheal and fever. Phenology and ecological characteristic were obtained by field observation over an annual period in 2006 in its endogenous localities from 2100–2400 meter above the sea level, as the main fragrant medicine herb in Caharbagh village with wide distribution in sunny areas, dry cool climate, clay loam texture soil, annual rain 305mm, annual temperature 7 pH in 7.6, EC in 5.4, T.N.V rang in 3.5–7.5% and organic carbon in 2.7% in west slops. Phenology showed that it is blooming in late June.

The composition of essential oil from aerial parts of Achillea millefolium L was analyzed by GC- MS. Twenty seven components of the oil were characterized with geranyl acetate (35.9%), geraniol (16.5%), linalool (6.8%), davanone (6.7%),camphor (6.5%)and 1,8cinole (3.5%) being the major constituents. The crude essential oil was evaluated for antibacterial activity by a disc diffusion method against four bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Escherchia coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Bacillus cereus. We concluded that the essential oil showed antibacterial activity against tested bacteria, but the Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive, especially St. aureus and B. cereus. This study confirmed that the essential oil of A. millefolium possesses antibacterial properties in vitro and its ethnopharmacological uses in wound healing.

References: [1] Agihotri.V.K, Lattoo.S.K., Thappa.R.K.Kaul.P, Oazi.G.N,.2005. Planta Med, 71(3):280–3. [2] Baser.K.H, Demirci.B, Kocak.S, Akinci.C, Malyer.H, Gulerus.G. 2002, Planta Med. 10: 941–3. [3] Benzic.N, M.Skocibusic, V.Dunkic, A.Radonic. 2003. J.Essential, Phytother Res, 17(9):1037–40.