Effect of shading and nitrogen fertilization on nitrogen metabolism, essential oil content and antimicrobial activity of Achillea millefolium

The Achillea millefolium L. is a perennial herb with important antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, and antioxidant properties. This research aimed to investigate the effect of shading (75%; black net) and nitrogen fertilization (0, 75 and 150 kg urea ha-1) on the nitrogen metabolism, essential oil yield and antimicrobial activity of A.millefolium at vegetative- and reproductive-stage. The evaluated parameters varied depending on the organ and the phenological stage of the plant considered. Overall, our findings indicated that shading decreased nitrogen assimilation. Decreased activities of nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase were observed on shaded plants during reproductive and vegetative stages, respectively. Nitrate and total amino acid levels increased in shaded plants at the vegetative stage. Regarding nitrogen supply, the improved nitrogen metabolism and essential oil yield values were accompanied by intermediate concentrations of urea (75 kg ha-1). Plants fertilized with 75 kg urea ha-1 produced the highest amino acids concentration (vegetative stage), ammonium concentration (vegetative stage) and essential oil yield (reproductive stage). Shading or nitrogen supply did not influence the microbial activity of A. millefolium essential oil.However, the essential oil of leaves and flowers were highly effective against fungi and bacteria, especially gram-positive bacteria. In conclusion, the current study showed that full light and 75 kg urea ha-1 enhanced the nitrogen metabolism of A. millefolium in both vegetative and reproductive stages.

Radiolabeling of methanol extracts of yarrow (Achillea millefolium l) in rats / Radiomarcação do extrato metanólico de yarrow (Achillea millefolium l) em ratos

PURPOSE: Current study is focused on extraction with methanol, purification, labeling with 131I using iodogen method of the yarrow plant and investigating in vivo biological activity using biodistribution and imaging studies on healthy animal models. The aim of the study is to contribute plant extracts to discover new drugs in the diagnosis and treatment of several diseases. METHODS: Nine female and nine male healthy Wistar albino rats, which were approximately 100-150 g in weight, were used for biodistribution studies. For imaging studies four healthy male Balb-C mice were used. Quality control studies were done utilizing thin layer radio chromatography (TLRC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods. For biodistribution studies, 131I radiolabeled Peak 7 (131I-Peak 7) was sterilized and injected into the tail veil of rats and imaging studies were obtained using Kodak FX PRO in vivo Imaging System. RESULTS: The radiolabeling yield of each purified the bioactive extracts of the yarrow plant, seven peaks was between 79 and 92%. The highest radiolabeling yield was calculated for 131I radiolabeled seventh peak (131I-Peak 7) (92.78±5.04, n=5). For this reason the biodistribution and imaging studies were done for 131I-Peak 7. That's why; these studies with Peak 7 were carried out. CONCLUSION: Peak 7 was radiolabeled with 131I in high yield for using imaging and therapeutic studies in nuclear medical applications.

OBJETIVO: O atual estudo tem por objetivo a extração com metanol, purificação, marcação com I131 usando o método direto de marcação da planta Achillea, para investigar in vivo a atividade biológica usando biodistribuição e estudos de imagem em modelos animais saudáveis. O objetivo do estudo é contribuir com extratos de plantas para descobrir novas drogas para o diagnóstico e tratamento de várias doenças. MÉTODOS: Nove fêmeas e nove machos ratos Wistar albino saudáveis, com aproximadamente 100 a 150g de peso foram usados para estudos de biodistribuição. Para estudos de imagem, quatro camundongos Balb-C machos e saudáveis foram usados. Estudos de controle de qualidade foram realizados usando métodos de cromatografia de camada fina e cromatografia líquida de alta performance. Para estudos de biodistribuição, pico 5 radiografado com I131 (I131-Peak 7) foi esterilizado e injetado na veia da cauda dos ratos e estudos de imagem foram obtidos usando Sistema de Imagem Kodak FX PRO in vivo. RESULTADOS: O retorno radiomarcado de cada extrato bioativo purificado da planta Achillea sete picos estavam entre 79 e 92%. O retorno com maior marcação foi calculado para I131 sétimo pico (I131-Peak 7) (92,78±5,04, n=5). Por esta razão os estudos de biodistribuição e de imagem foram feitos para I131-Peak 7. CONCLUSÃO: Peak 7 foi radiomarcado com I131 em alto retorno para uso em estudos terapêuticos e de imagens nas aplicações médicas nucleares.

Efeito de extrato bruto e óleo essencial de Achillea millefolium em desenvolvimento in vitro de Corynespora cassiicola e proteção de pepino à mancha de corinespora / Effect of crude extract and essential oil of Achillea millefolium L. on the in vitro development of Corynespora cassiicola and protection of cucumber against corinespora leaf spot

Medidas de controle de doenças por meio do uso de extratos e óleos essenciais vêm sendo investigadas como alternativa aos fungicidas convencionais. Este trabalho objetivou estudar o efeito antimicrobiano de extratos brutos aquosos e óleo essencial de Achillea millefolium no crescimento micelial (CM), na esporulação e na germinação de conídios de Corynespora cassiicola bem como a atividade de peroxidase em plantas de pepino. Para isto, o extrato bruto aquoso (EBA) (1; 5; 10; 20 e 25%) foi incorporado ao meio de cultura BDA (batata-dextrose-ágar) e o óleo essencial (OE) (20, 40, 60, 100 e 200 mL) foi distribuído sobre a superfície do meio de cultura. Disco de micélio foi repicado para os diferentes meios e o crescimento micelial avaliado, diariamente, por 7 dias. Para os ensaios in vivo, plantas de pepino foram pulverizadas com EBAs nas concentrações 1, 10 e 25%, Saccharomyces cereviseae 20% e água, aos quatro e dois dias antes e concomitantemente à inoculação com C. cassiicola. Foi avaliada a severidade da doença e a atividade da enzima peroxidase. Para EBA, não houve inibição do crescimento micelial, da germinação e da esporulação em todas as concentrações testadas. Entretanto, nos tratamentos com OE, houve inibição de até 63% do crescimento micelial. Na esporulação e germinação, a inibição foi de 100% e 98%, respectivamente, na alíquota de 200 ?L para OE. No controle da doença, o tratamento mais efetivo foi EBA a 25% quando realizado concomitante à inoculação. No intervalo de tempo avaliado, não se constatou atividade da enzima peroxidase.

The control of diseases by using crude extracts (CE) and essential oils (EO) are being investigated as an alternative to conventional fungicides. The objective of this work was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of aqueous extracts and essential oil of Achillea millefolium on mycelial growth, sporolution and spores germination of Corynespora cassiicola, as well as peroxidase activity in cucumber plants. For this, crude extract (1; 5; 10; 20 and 25%) was incorporated into potato dextrose agar medium (PDA), and essential oil (20, 40, 60, 100 and 200 mL) was distributed over the surface of the PDA. The mycelial growth was measured daily for 7 days. In the in vivo test, cucumber plants were sprayed with crude extracts at concentrations 1; 10 and 25%, and Saccharomyces cereviseae 20% (control), 4 and 2 days before and the same time as inoculation with C. cassiicola. The severity of disease and peroxidase activity were evaluated. For crude extract, neither mycelial growth nor spore germination and sporulation was inhibited at any of the tested concentrations. In the treatments with essential oil there was inhibition up to 63% of the mycelial growth. In the sporulation and spores germination the inhibition was 100% and 98%, respectively, for 200uL of EO. In the control of the disease the mosteffective treatment was the crude extract 25% when carried out at the same time as the inoculation. In the evaluated period, no peroxidase activity was found.

[ antioxidant activities and total phenolic of Artemisia Martima, Achillea Millefolium and Matricaria Recutica]

Consumption of plant derived antioxidant contributes to reducing risks of certain chronic and degenerative diseases. The aim of the present study was to study the antioxidant activities and total phenolic of Artemisia Martima, Achillea Millefolium and Matricaria Recutica. The present study was conducted at Yasuj University of Medical Sciences in 2009. The stem and flower sample of plants were air-dried, and then grinded and were finally extracted by ethanol: water [70: 30] for 48 h in room temperature. Extracts were filtered and dried under vacuum system. The antioxidant activity of three ethanol extract of the medicinal plants, Artemisia martima, Achillea millefolium and Matricaria recutica, were analyzed by five different methods; [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] radical, 2, 20 azinobis- [3-ethylbenzthiazoline -6-sulphonic acid [ABTS] radical cation,Ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay [FRAP], phosphomolybdenum [PMB] and reducing power [RP]. In addition, for determination of antioxidant components, the total phenolic content was also analyzed. The collected data was analyzed by SPSS software. For all antioxidant activity assays, Artemisia martima had the highest antioxidant activity value and also total phenol content. Antioxidant capacity analyses revealed that the FRAP and DPPH had comparable results. Antioxidant activity at 1 mg/mL, in ABTS were in the order Artemisia martima> Achillea millefolium> Matricaria recutica. Similar trend was observed for PMB content. RP, FRAP and DPPH were in the order Artemisia martima> Matricaria recutica > Achillea millefolium. The extracts showed a variety of antioxidant activities in all antioxidant assay system. This study demonstrated that Artemisia martima crude extract exhibit significant antioxidant activity