Biological activities of the hydro-alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Achillea fragrantissima (Forssk.) grown in Jordan
Author(s)
Hana M. Hammad,
Suzan A. Matar,
Simona-Carmen Litescu,
Sawsan Abuhamdah,
Hala I. Al-Jaber,
Fatma U. Afifi
Affiliation(s)
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan;. Centre of Bioanalysis, National Institute for Biological Sciences, Bucharest, Romania. Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, Amman, Jordan. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan;. Centre of Bioanalysis, National Institute for Biological Sciences, Bucharest, Romania. Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, Amman, Jordan. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
ABSTRACT
Aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of Achillea fragrantissima L. (Asteraceae) grown in Jordan were screened for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiplatelet, anti-proliferative and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition efficacy. Total phenols and flavonoids were determined colorimetrically. The radical scavenging activities were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity assays. High performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLCMS) analysis resulted in the identification of 7 phenolic compounds in the hydro-alcoholic extract and 4 compounds in the aqueous extract; quercetin 3-β-D-glucoside was the main component for both extracts. Antimicrobial activities were determined by antimicrobial susceptibility testing such as agar well-diffusion method, minimum inhibition concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration. Gram positive bacteria showed sensitivity to hydro-alcoholic extract in the agar-well diffusion test. No significant activity was observed against gram negative bacteria and Candida albicans. Hydro-alcoholic extract had a bactericidal activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Bacillus cereus at high concentrations (MIC 12.5 mg/ml) rather than inhibitory effect. In vitro antiplatelet activity was tested on human whole blood using an electrical impedance method. At concentrations (50, 100, and 200 μg/ml), no effect on platelet aggregation was noticed. Anti-proliferative activity was investigated using the MTT assay. At concentrations up to 200 μg/ml, extracts did not possess cytotoxic activity against the MCF-7 cells. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory capacity of A. fragrantissima extracts was tested using TLC assay method, and neither aqueous, nor hydroalcoholic extracts showed AChE inhibition. The present investigation supported the traditional use of A. fragrantissima in the Jordanian folk medicine as an antimicrobial active representative of the genus Achillea. A. fragrantissima extracts should be further studied for their potential use in preventing/treating diseases in which oxidative stress is a part of the pathophysiology.
Cite this paper
Hammad, H. , Matar, S. , Litescu, S. , Abuhamdah, S. , Al-Jaber, H. and Afifi, F. (2014) Biological activities of the hydro-alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Achillea fragrantissima (Forssk.) grown in Jordan. Natural Science, 6, 23-30. doi: 10.4236/ns.2014.61005.
Hammad, H. , Matar, S. , Litescu, S. , Abuhamdah, S. , Al-Jaber, H. and Afifi, F. (2014) Biological activities of the hydro-alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Achillea fragrantissima (Forssk.) grown in Jordan. Natural Science, 6, 23-30. doi: 10.4236/ns.2014.61005.
References
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http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161208786404281 [2] Benedek, B. and Kopp, B. (2007) Achillea millefolium L. s.l. revisited: Recent findings confirm the traditional use. Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift, 157, 312-314.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10354-007-0431-9 [3] Candan, F., Unlu, M., Tepe, B., Daferera, D., Polissiou, M., Sokmen, A. and Akpulat A. (2003) Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Achillea millefolium subsp. millefolium Afan. (Asteraceae). Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 87, 215220.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(03)00149-1 [4] Yesilada, E., Honda, G., Sezik, E., Tabata, M., Goto, K. and Ikeshiro, Y. (1993) Traditional medicine in Turkey. IV. Folk medicine in the Mediterranean subdivision. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 39, 31-38.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(93)90048-A [5] Honda, G., Yesilada, E., Tabata, M., Sezik, E. and Fujita T. (1996) Traditional medicine in Turkey VI. Folk medicine in West Anatolia: Afyon, Kutahya, Denizli, Mugla, Aydin provinces. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 53, 75-87. [6] Sezik, E., Yesilada, E. and Honda, G.E. (2001) Traditional medicine in Turkey X. Folk medicine in Central Anatolia. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 75, 95-115.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(00)00399-8 [7] Saeidnia, S., Gohari, A., Yassa, N. and Shafiee A. (2005) Composition of the volatile oil of Achillea conferta DC, from Iran. DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 13, 34-36. [8] Unlü, M., Daferera, D., Donmez, E., Polissiou, M., Tepe, B. and Sokmen A. (2002) Compositions and the in vitro antimicrobial activities of the essential oils of Achillea setacea and Achillea teretifolia (Compositae). Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 83, 117-121.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(02)00218-0 [9] Oran, S.A. and Al-Eisawi, D.M. (1998) Check-list of medicinal plants in Jordan. Dirasat, 25, 84-112. [10] Al-Eisawi, D.M. (1982) List of Jordan vascular plants. Mitteilungen der Botanischen Staatssammlung Munchen, 18, 79-182. [11] Hamdan, I.I. and Afifi, F.U. (2004) Studies on the in vitro and in vivo hypoglycemic activities of some medicinal plants used in treatment of diabetes in Jordanian traditional medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 93, 117121. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2004.03.033 [12] Ali-Shtayeh, M.S., Yaniv, Z. and Mahajna, J. (2000) Ethnobotanical survey in the Palestinian area: A classification of the healing potential of medicinal plants. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 73, 221-232.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(00)00316-0 [13] Mustafa, E.H., Abu Zarga, M. and Abdalla, S. (1992) Effects of cirsiliol, a flavone isolated from Achillea fragrantissima, on rat isolated ileum. General Pharmacology, 23, 555-560.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0306-3623(92)90127-6 [14] Shabana, M.M., Mirhom, Y.W., Genenah, A.A., Aboutabl, E.A. and Amer, H.A. (1990) Study into wild egyptian plants of potential medicinal activity. Ninth communication: Hypoglycemic activity of some selected plants in normal fasting and alloxanized rats. Archiv fur Experimentelle Veterinarmedizin (Leipzig), 44, 389-394. [15] Elmann, A., Mordechay, S., Erlank, H., Telerman, A., Rindner, M. and Ofir, R. (2011) Anti-neuroinflammatory effects of the extract of Achillea fragrantissima. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 11, 98.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-11-98 [16] Alenad, A.M., Al-Jaber, N.A., Krishnaswamy, S., Yakout S.M., Al-Daghri, N.M. and Alokail, M.S. (2013) Achillea fragrantissima extract exerts its anticancer effect via induction of differentiation, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell line K562. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 7, 1561-1567. [17] Al-Mustafa, A.H. and Al-Thunibat, O.Y. (2008) Antioxidant activity of some Jordanian medicinal plants used traditionally for treatment of diabetes. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 11, 351-358.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2008.351.358 [18] Alali, F.Q., Tawaha, K., El-Elimat, T., Syouf, M., ElFayad, M., Abulaila K., Nielsen, S.J., Wheaton, W.D., Falkinham 3rd, J.O. and Oberlies, N.H. (2007) Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Jordanian plants: An ICBG project. Natural Product Research, 21, 1121-1131.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14786410701590285 [19] Nikolova, M. (2011) Screening of radical scavenging activity and polyphenol content of Bulgarian plant species. Pharmacognosy Research, 3, 256-259.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0974-8490.89746 [20] Litescu, S.C., Eremia, S. and Radu, G.L. (2010) Methods for the determination of antioxidant capacity in food and raw materials. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 698, 241-249.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7347-4_18 [21] Cristea, V., Deliu, C., Oltean, B., Butiuc-Keul, A., Brummer, A., Albu, C. and Radu, G.L. (2009) Soilless cultures for pharmaceutical use and biodiversity conservation. Acta Horticulturae, 843, 157-164. [22] Al-Bakri, A.G., Othman, G. and Afifi, F.U. (2010) Determination of the antibiofilm, antiadhesive, and antiMRSA activities of seven Salvia species. Pharmacognosy Magazine, 6, 264-270.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0973-1296.71786 [23] National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (2003) Methods for dilution antimicrobial susceptibility tests for bacteria that grow aerobically: Approved standard—Eight edition. NCCLS, Wayne, NCCLS Document M7-A6. [24] National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (1997) Reference method for broth dilution antifungal susceptibility testing of yeasts: Approved standard M27A. NCCLS, Wayne. [25] Hammad, H.M., Albu, C., Matar, S.A., Litescu, S.C., Al Jaber, H.I., Abualraghib, A.S. and Afifi, F.U. (2013) Biological activities of the hydro-alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Achillea biebersteinii Afan. (Asteraceae) grown in Jordan. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 7, 1686-1694. [26] Shahwar, D., Rehman, S.U. and Raza, M.A. (2010) Acetyl cholinesterase inhibition potential and antioxidant activities of ferulic acid isolated from Impatiens bicolor Linn. Journal of Medicinal Plant Research, 4, 260-266. [27] Cai, Y.Z., Sun, M., Xing, J., Luo, Q. and Corke, H. (2006) Structure-radical scavenging activity relationships of phenolic compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal plants. Life Science, 78, 2872-2888.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2005.11.004 [28] Giorgi, A., Bombelli, R., Luini, A., Speranza, G., Cosentino, M., Lecchini, S. and Cocucci, M. (2009) Antioxidant and cytoprotective properties of infusions from leaves and inflorescences of Achillea collina Becker ex Rchb. Phytotherapy Research, 23, 540-545.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2679 [29] Litwinienko, G. and Ingold, K.U. (2004) Abnormal solvent effects on hydrogen atom abstraction. 2. Resolution of the curcumin antioxidant controversy. The role of sequential proton loss electron transfer. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 69, 5888-5896.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jo049254j [30] El-Shazly, A.M., Hafez, S.S. and Wink, M. (2004) Comparative study of the essential oils and extracts of Achillea fragrantissima (Forssk.) Sch. Bip. and Achillea santolina L. (Asteraceae) from Egypt. Pharmazie, 59, 226-230. [31] Al-Saimary, I.E., Bakr, S.S., Khudaier, B.Y. and Abass, Y.K. (2007) Efficiency of antibacterial agents extracted from Thymus vulgaris L. (Lamiaceae). The Internet Journal of Nutrition and Wellness, 4. [32] Barel, S., Segal, R. and Yashphe, J. (1991) The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from Achillea fragrantissima. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 33, 187-191.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(91)90177-F [33] Thoppil, R.J., Harlev, E., Mandal, A., Nevo, E. and Bishayee, A. (2013) Antitumor activities of extracts from selected desert plants against HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Pharmaceutical Biology, 51, 668-674. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2012.749922 [34] Felder, C.C., Bymaster, F.P., Ward, J. and DeLapp, N. (2000) Therapeutic opportunities for muscarinic receptors in the central nervous system. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 43, 4333-4353.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jm990607u [35] Mukherjee, P.K., Kumar, V. and Houghton, P.J. (2007) Screening of Indian medicinal plants for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. Phytotherapy Research, 21, 11421145.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2224 [36] Afifi, F.U. and Abu-Irmaileh, B. (2000) Herbal medicine in Jordan with special emphasis on less commonly used medicinal herbs. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 72, 101110.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(00)00215-4
[1] Nemeth, E. and Bernath, J. (2008) Biological activities of yarrow species (Achillea spp.). Current Pharmaceutical Design, 14, 3151-3167.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161208786404281 [2] Benedek, B. and Kopp, B. (2007) Achillea millefolium L. s.l. revisited: Recent findings confirm the traditional use. Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift, 157, 312-314.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10354-007-0431-9 [3] Candan, F., Unlu, M., Tepe, B., Daferera, D., Polissiou, M., Sokmen, A. and Akpulat A. (2003) Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Achillea millefolium subsp. millefolium Afan. (Asteraceae). Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 87, 215220.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(03)00149-1 [4] Yesilada, E., Honda, G., Sezik, E., Tabata, M., Goto, K. and Ikeshiro, Y. (1993) Traditional medicine in Turkey. IV. Folk medicine in the Mediterranean subdivision. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 39, 31-38.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(93)90048-A [5] Honda, G., Yesilada, E., Tabata, M., Sezik, E. and Fujita T. (1996) Traditional medicine in Turkey VI. Folk medicine in West Anatolia: Afyon, Kutahya, Denizli, Mugla, Aydin provinces. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 53, 75-87. [6] Sezik, E., Yesilada, E. and Honda, G.E. (2001) Traditional medicine in Turkey X. Folk medicine in Central Anatolia. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 75, 95-115.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(00)00399-8 [7] Saeidnia, S., Gohari, A., Yassa, N. and Shafiee A. (2005) Composition of the volatile oil of Achillea conferta DC, from Iran. DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 13, 34-36. [8] Unlü, M., Daferera, D., Donmez, E., Polissiou, M., Tepe, B. and Sokmen A. (2002) Compositions and the in vitro antimicrobial activities of the essential oils of Achillea setacea and Achillea teretifolia (Compositae). Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 83, 117-121.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(02)00218-0 [9] Oran, S.A. and Al-Eisawi, D.M. (1998) Check-list of medicinal plants in Jordan. Dirasat, 25, 84-112. [10] Al-Eisawi, D.M. (1982) List of Jordan vascular plants. Mitteilungen der Botanischen Staatssammlung Munchen, 18, 79-182. [11] Hamdan, I.I. and Afifi, F.U. (2004) Studies on the in vitro and in vivo hypoglycemic activities of some medicinal plants used in treatment of diabetes in Jordanian traditional medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 93, 117121. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2004.03.033 [12] Ali-Shtayeh, M.S., Yaniv, Z. and Mahajna, J. (2000) Ethnobotanical survey in the Palestinian area: A classification of the healing potential of medicinal plants. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 73, 221-232.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(00)00316-0 [13] Mustafa, E.H., Abu Zarga, M. and Abdalla, S. (1992) Effects of cirsiliol, a flavone isolated from Achillea fragrantissima, on rat isolated ileum. General Pharmacology, 23, 555-560.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0306-3623(92)90127-6 [14] Shabana, M.M., Mirhom, Y.W., Genenah, A.A., Aboutabl, E.A. and Amer, H.A. (1990) Study into wild egyptian plants of potential medicinal activity. Ninth communication: Hypoglycemic activity of some selected plants in normal fasting and alloxanized rats. Archiv fur Experimentelle Veterinarmedizin (Leipzig), 44, 389-394. [15] Elmann, A., Mordechay, S., Erlank, H., Telerman, A., Rindner, M. and Ofir, R. (2011) Anti-neuroinflammatory effects of the extract of Achillea fragrantissima. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 11, 98.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-11-98 [16] Alenad, A.M., Al-Jaber, N.A., Krishnaswamy, S., Yakout S.M., Al-Daghri, N.M. and Alokail, M.S. (2013) Achillea fragrantissima extract exerts its anticancer effect via induction of differentiation, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell line K562. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 7, 1561-1567. [17] Al-Mustafa, A.H. and Al-Thunibat, O.Y. (2008) Antioxidant activity of some Jordanian medicinal plants used traditionally for treatment of diabetes. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 11, 351-358.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2008.351.358 [18] Alali, F.Q., Tawaha, K., El-Elimat, T., Syouf, M., ElFayad, M., Abulaila K., Nielsen, S.J., Wheaton, W.D., Falkinham 3rd, J.O. and Oberlies, N.H. (2007) Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Jordanian plants: An ICBG project. Natural Product Research, 21, 1121-1131.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14786410701590285 [19] Nikolova, M. (2011) Screening of radical scavenging activity and polyphenol content of Bulgarian plant species. Pharmacognosy Research, 3, 256-259.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0974-8490.89746 [20] Litescu, S.C., Eremia, S. and Radu, G.L. (2010) Methods for the determination of antioxidant capacity in food and raw materials. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 698, 241-249.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7347-4_18 [21] Cristea, V., Deliu, C., Oltean, B., Butiuc-Keul, A., Brummer, A., Albu, C. and Radu, G.L. (2009) Soilless cultures for pharmaceutical use and biodiversity conservation. Acta Horticulturae, 843, 157-164. [22] Al-Bakri, A.G., Othman, G. and Afifi, F.U. (2010) Determination of the antibiofilm, antiadhesive, and antiMRSA activities of seven Salvia species. Pharmacognosy Magazine, 6, 264-270.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0973-1296.71786 [23] National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (2003) Methods for dilution antimicrobial susceptibility tests for bacteria that grow aerobically: Approved standard—Eight edition. NCCLS, Wayne, NCCLS Document M7-A6. [24] National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (1997) Reference method for broth dilution antifungal susceptibility testing of yeasts: Approved standard M27A. NCCLS, Wayne. [25] Hammad, H.M., Albu, C., Matar, S.A., Litescu, S.C., Al Jaber, H.I., Abualraghib, A.S. and Afifi, F.U. (2013) Biological activities of the hydro-alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Achillea biebersteinii Afan. (Asteraceae) grown in Jordan. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 7, 1686-1694. [26] Shahwar, D., Rehman, S.U. and Raza, M.A. (2010) Acetyl cholinesterase inhibition potential and antioxidant activities of ferulic acid isolated from Impatiens bicolor Linn. Journal of Medicinal Plant Research, 4, 260-266. [27] Cai, Y.Z., Sun, M., Xing, J., Luo, Q. and Corke, H. (2006) Structure-radical scavenging activity relationships of phenolic compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal plants. Life Science, 78, 2872-2888.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2005.11.004 [28] Giorgi, A., Bombelli, R., Luini, A., Speranza, G., Cosentino, M., Lecchini, S. and Cocucci, M. (2009) Antioxidant and cytoprotective properties of infusions from leaves and inflorescences of Achillea collina Becker ex Rchb. Phytotherapy Research, 23, 540-545.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2679 [29] Litwinienko, G. and Ingold, K.U. (2004) Abnormal solvent effects on hydrogen atom abstraction. 2. Resolution of the curcumin antioxidant controversy. The role of sequential proton loss electron transfer. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 69, 5888-5896.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jo049254j [30] El-Shazly, A.M., Hafez, S.S. and Wink, M. (2004) Comparative study of the essential oils and extracts of Achillea fragrantissima (Forssk.) Sch. Bip. and Achillea santolina L. (Asteraceae) from Egypt. Pharmazie, 59, 226-230. [31] Al-Saimary, I.E., Bakr, S.S., Khudaier, B.Y. and Abass, Y.K. (2007) Efficiency of antibacterial agents extracted from Thymus vulgaris L. (Lamiaceae). The Internet Journal of Nutrition and Wellness, 4. [32] Barel, S., Segal, R. and Yashphe, J. (1991) The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from Achillea fragrantissima. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 33, 187-191.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(91)90177-F [33] Thoppil, R.J., Harlev, E., Mandal, A., Nevo, E. and Bishayee, A. (2013) Antitumor activities of extracts from selected desert plants against HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Pharmaceutical Biology, 51, 668-674. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2012.749922 [34] Felder, C.C., Bymaster, F.P., Ward, J. and DeLapp, N. (2000) Therapeutic opportunities for muscarinic receptors in the central nervous system. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 43, 4333-4353.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jm990607u [35] Mukherjee, P.K., Kumar, V. and Houghton, P.J. (2007) Screening of Indian medicinal plants for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. Phytotherapy Research, 21, 11421145.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2224 [36] Afifi, F.U. and Abu-Irmaileh, B. (2000) Herbal medicine in Jordan with special emphasis on less commonly used medicinal herbs. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 72, 101110.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(00)00215-4