€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****ARCHIV DER PHARMAZIE***** Rucker G Manns D Breuer J [Peroxides as plant constituents. 8. Guaianolide-peroxides from yarrow,Achillea millefolium L., a soluble component causing yarrow dermatitis] Guaianolid-Peroxide aus der Schafgarbe, Achillea millefolium L., Ausloser der Schafgarbendermatitis. In: Arch Pharm (Weinheim) (1991 Dec) 324(12):979-81 ISSN: 0365-6233 (Published in German) From the ether extract of the blossoms of yarrow, Achillea millefolium L., two guaianolides (1, 2) with a peroxide bridged cyclopentane ring and an alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone structure have been isolated. For these compounds the names alpha- peroxyachifolid (1) and beta-peroxyisoachifolid (2) are proposed. 1 is responsible for the allergic contact dermatitis caused by yarrow. REGISTRY NUMBERS: 134954-21-5 (alpha-peroxyachifolid) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****CHEMICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL BULLETIN***** Tozyo T Yoshimura Y Sakurai K Uchida N Takeda Y Nakai H Ishii H Novel antitumor sesquiterpenoids in Achillea millefolium. In: Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) (1994 May) 42(5):1096-100 ISSN: 0009-2363 Three new antitumor sesquiterpenoids, achimillic acids A, B and C, were isolated as methyl esters from Achillea millefolium and their structures were determined spectroscopically. The compounds were found to be active against mouse P-388 leukemia cells in vivo. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****CONTACT DERMATITIS***** Hausen BM Breuer J Weglewski J Rucker G alpha-Peroxyachifolid and other new sensitizing sesquiterpene lactones from yarrow (Achillea millefolium L., Compositae). In: Contact Dermatitis (1991 Apr) 24(4):274-80 ISSN: 0105-1873 Yarrow, Achillea millefolium L., is one of the commonest weeds of the Compositae family. Cases of allergic contact dermatitis have been described since 1899. Although 10 sesquiterpene lactones (SL) and 3 polyines have previously been identified, the sensitizers of yarrow have escaped detection. A reinvestigation of short ether extracts of yarrow revealed the presence of 5 unsaturated hitherto unknown guaianolides of peroxide character. The main SL, identified as a strong sensitizer in guinea pig sensitization experiments, was named alpha-peroxyachifolid. The minor SL also contribute marginally to the sensitizing capacity, while other known yarrow constituents like dehydromatricaria ester and pontica epoxide appear to play no role. A 5-year follow-up (1985-1990) of Compositae-sensitive patients showed that more than 50% reacted when tested with a short ether extract of yarrow. Exacerbation of the patch test sites by irradiation with UV light was never observed. REGISTRY NUMBERS: 134954-21-5 (alpha-peroxyachifolid) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****DRUGS UNDER EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL RESEARCH***** Ageel AM Mossa JS al-Yahya MA al-Said MS Tariq M Experimental studies on antirheumatic crude drugs used in Saudi traditional medicine. In: Drugs Exp Clin Res (1989) 15(8):369-72 ISSN: 0378-6501 A large number of herbal drugs are used in the traditional medicine of Saudi Arabia for the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, gout and other forms of inflammation. In the present study seven of these crude drugs, namely Francoeuria crispa, Hammada elegans, Malus pumila, Ruta chalepensis, Smilax sarsaparilla, Achillea fragrantissima and Alpinia officinarum were tested against carrageenan-induced acute inflammation in rats. The plant materials were extracted with 96% ethanol. The dried extract was dissolved in water for pharmacological testing. The rats were administered an oral dose of 500 mg/kg body weight of each extract 1 h prior to production of inflammation by carrageenan injection (0.05 ml of 1% carrageenan suspension in the planter aponeurosis of the right hind foot). The paw volume was measured at 0,2,3 and 4 h after the injection. Four of the seven plants, namely Francoeuria crispa (24%), Malus pumila (23%), Ruta chalepensis (30%) and Smilax sarsaparilla (25%), produced significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats. These plants also inhibited cotton pellet-induced exudation. Further studies are suggested to isolate the active principles and for the determination of the mechanism of action of these drugs. REGISTRY NUMBERS: 9000-07-1 (Carrageenan) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY***** Mustafa EH Abu Zarga M Abdalla S Effects of cirsiliol, a flavone isolated from Achillea fragrantissima, on rat isolated ileum. In: Gen Pharmacol (1992 May) 23(3):555-60 ISSN: 0306-3623 1. In concentrations from 10(-8) M to 3 x 10(-4) M, cirsiliol caused concentration-dependent relaxation of rat isolated ileum. 2. Phentolamine (10(-6) M) or phentolamine and propranolol (10(-6) M) had no significant effects on the concentration-effect curves or on the EC50 of cirsiliol on the ileum. 3. Cirsiliol shifted to the right the acetylcholine (Ach) concentration-effect curves on ileum and significantly inhibited the maximum contractions induced by Ach. 4. In Ca(2+)-free, depolarizing solution, cirsiliol shifted to the right the CaCl2 concentration-effect curves and inhibited the maximum contractions induced by CaCl2 on ileum. 5. Large concentrations (10(- 4) M, 3 x 10(-4) M) of cirsiliol induced relaxation followed by contraction of the ileal segments incubated in Ca(2+)-free solution. 6. In Ca(2+)-free solution, cirsiliol (10(-4) M, 3 x 10(-4) M) caused concentration-dependent potentiation of the ileal contractions induced by 3 x 10(-3) M Ach when the latter was added 2-3 min after cirsiliol. When Ach was added 15-20 min after cirsiliol, the latter compound inhibited the Ach-induced contractions. 7. These observations suggest that cirsiliol inhibits Ca2+ influx but stimulates Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. Furthermore, they suggest that cirsiliol utilizes the same Ca2+ source used by acetylcholine in Ca(2+)-free solution. REGISTRY NUMBERS: 10043-52-4 (Calcium Chloride) 34334-69-5 (cirsiliol) 51-84-3 (Acetylcholine) 7440-70-2 (Calcium) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY***** Lietava J Medicinal plants in a Middle Paleolithic grave Shanidar IV? In: J Ethnopharmacol (1992 Jan) 35(3):263-6 ISSN: 0378-8741 This paper deals with phytopharmacological evaluation of the therapeutic potential of the plants found in the Neanderthal grave of a Shanidar IV individual (Iraq), where the palynological analysis of some other authors discovered the following flowers: Achillea-type, Centaurea solstitialis, Senecio-type, Muscari-type, Ephedra altissima, Althea-type. The purpose of our theoretical analysis was to evaluate the objective healing activity of the flowers. The result of the research revealed that Shanidar IV flowers possess considerable therapeutic effects with marked medical activity, which could be an intentional reason for the selection of the flowers in Middle Paleolithic Shanidar Neanderthals. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Barel S Segal R Yashphe J The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from Achillea fragrantissima. In: J Ethnopharmacol (1991 May-Jun) 33(1-2):187-91 ISSN: 0378-8741 Essential oil from Achillea fragrantissima exerted a bactericidic effect on several gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains, as well as on Candida albicans. The oil was fractionated on sillica gel columns by a gradient of ether in petrol ether (30 degrees C-40 degrees C). Two fractions which contained less polar compounds were active against C. albicans only. The fractions which contained more polar compounds inhibited the growth of all the microorganisms tested. One of these compounds was identified as terpinen-4-ol. Commercial terpinen-4-ol had a similar antimicrobial activity. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Al-Hindawi MK Al-Deen IH Nabi MH Ismail MA Anti-inflammatory activity of some Iraqi plants using intact rats. In: J Ethnopharmacol (1989 Sep) 26(2):163-8 ISSN: 0378-8741 Five plants (Myrtus communis, Apium graveolens, Matricaria chamomilla, Withania somnifera and Achillea santolina) grown in Iraq were assessed for their anti-inflammatory activity on intact rats by measuring the suppression of carrageenan-induced paw edema produced by 1/10 of the intraperitoneal LD50 doses for the respective 80% ethanol extracts. Acetylsalicylic acid was used as the standard drug. Results showed that the plants possessed varying degrees of anti- inflammatory activity and were classified in the following descending order of activity: W. somnifera greater than A. graveolens greater than A. santolina greater than M. chamomilla greater than M. communis. REGISTRY NUMBERS: 9000-07-1 (Carrageenan) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Kelley BD Appelt GD Appelt JM Pharmacological aspects of selected herbs employed in hispanic folk medicine in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, USA: II. Asclepias asperula (inmortal) and Achillea lanulosa (plumajillo). In: J Ethnopharmacol (1988 Jan) 22(1):1-9 ISSN: 0378-8741 Interviews with Hispanic families in the San Luis Valley of Colorado revealed that several herbs, including Asclepias asperula (inmortal) and Achillea lanulosa (plumajillo), are popular ingredients in Hispanic folk medicine preparations. A review of the scientific literature indicates that related species of Asclepias asperula and Achillea lanulosa contain pharmacologically active compounds; these data serve as the focal point for continuing ethnopharmacologic investigation at the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES***** Chandler RF Hooper SN Hooper DL Jamieson WD Flinn CG Safe LM Herbal remedies of the Maritime Indians: sterols and triterpenes of Achillea millefolium L. (Yarrow). In: J Pharm Sci (1982 Jun) 71(6):690-3 ISSN: 0022-3549 As part of ongoing studies of the medicinal aspects of Maritime flora, particularly the herbal remedies of the Micmac and Malecite Indians, the sterols and triterpenes of Achillea millefolium L. (Compositae), a widely used herbal remedy known commonly as yarrow, were determined. Using modern techniques, including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and combined GC-mass spectrometry, beta- sitosterol was identified as the major sterol and alpha-amyrin as the major triterpene of this plant. The sterols stigmasterol, campesterol, and cholesterol and the triterpenses beta-amyrin, taraxasterol, and pseudotaraxasterol were also identified. Successful therapeutic application of yarrow may be partly due to the presence of one or more of these compounds since many sterols and triterpenes exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities. This is the first reported occurrence of cholesterol, campesterol, and the four triterpenes in yarrow. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Falk AJ Smolenski SJ Bauer L Bell CL Isolation and identification of three new flavones from Achillea millefolium L. In: J Pharm Sci (1975 Nov) 64(11):1838-42 ISSN: 0022-3549 Column chromatography on silica gel of a petroleum ether extract of the flowering heads of Achillea millefolium L. allowed three flavones to be separated and identified. Spectral studies (PMR, mass spectrometry, and UV) and a comparison with data for compounds reported in the literature established the flavones as 5-hydroxy- 3,6,7,4'-tetramethoxyflavone, artemetin, and casticin. These compounds have not been reported previously as constituents of A. millefolium. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****PHARMAZIE***** Rucker G Neugebauer M Kiefer A [Quantitative determination of alpha-peroxyachifolide in yarrow by HPLC with amperometric detection] Quantitative Bestimmung von alpha-Peroxyachifolid in der Schafgarbe durch HPLC mit amperometrischer Detektion. In: Pharmazie (1994 Feb-Mar) 49(2-3):167-9 ISSN: 0031-7144 (Published in German) A HPLC method with amperometric detection is established for the contact allergen alpha-peroxyachifolid (1) from yarrow (Achillea millefolium L., s. str.). The amounts of 1 are between 0.25 and 0.60% in blossoms, dried 2 h at room temperature, and between 0.01 and 0.05% in the leaves. In completely dried material and in some preparations from the market 1 could also be quantified. REGISTRY NUMBERS: 134954-21-5 (alpha-peroxyachifolid) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****PLANTA MEDICA***** Zitterl-Eglseer K Jurenitsch J Korhammer S Haslinger E Sosa S Della Loggia R Kubelka W Franz C [Sesquiterpenelactones of Achillea setacea with antiphlogistic activity] Entzundungshemmende Sesquiterpenlactone von Achillea setacea. Sesquiterpenelactones of Achillea setacea with Antiphlogistic activity. In: Planta Med (1991 Oct) 57(5):444-6 ISSN: 0032-0943 (Published in German) From the aerial parts of Achillea setacea W. & K. (Asteraceae) the main sesquiterpenes were isolated. Their structures were determined by means of 2D-NMR and MS as 11,13-dehydrodeacetylmatricarin (1) (= 14-deoxylactucin), rupicolin A (2), and rupicolin B (3). These are the first compounds with an alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone structure isolated from a species belonging to the Achillea millefolium aggregate. Achillicin, achillin, 8-hydroxyachillin, 8- acetoxyachillin, and matricin could not be detected in A. setacea. For both rupicolin B and 11,13-dehydrodeacetylmatricarin an anti- inflammatory activity was found in the croton oil ear test. REGISTRY NUMBERS: 41653-82-1 (rupicolin A) 41653-83-2 (rupicolin B) 74635-52-2 (14-deoxylactucin) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Muller-Jakic B Breu W Probstle A Redl K Greger H Bauer R In vitro inhibition of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase by alkamides from Echinacea and Achillea species. In: Planta Med (1994 Feb) 60(1):37-40 ISSN: 0032-0943 Polyunsaturated alkamides isolated from Achillea species, Echinacea angustifolia DC., Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Link, and Aaronsohnia pubescens (Desf.) Bremer & Humphries, (Compositae) were shown to possess inhibitory activity in in vitro cyclooxygenase (sheep seminal microsomes) and 5-lipoxygenase (porcine leukocytes) assays. Activity appeared to depend on the particular structure of the alkamides. REGISTRY NUMBERS: EC 1.13.11.34 (Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****VRACHEBNOE DELO***** Krivenko VV Potebnia GP Loiko VV [Experience in treating digestive organ diseases with medicinal plants] Opyt lecheniia nekotorykh zabolevanii organov pishchevareniia lekarstvennymi rasteniiami. In: Vrach Delo (1989 Mar)(3):76-8 ISSN: 0049-6804 (Published in Russian) Results are reported of treatment of chronic hyposecretory gastritis, chronic hepatocholecystitis and angiocholitis by a herbal complex. The herbal composition included Achillea millefolium, Urtica dioica, Cichorium (aboveground part), Polygonum, Matricaria chamomilla (flowers), Helichrysum arenarium, Calendula (flowers), corn stigmas, Humulus lupulus (racemes) in proportion 3:3:1:1:2:1:1:2:1 respectively. The herbal decoction is to be taken 3 times daily before meals. Diet N 5 (Pevzner scheme) is to be observed.