Background and purpose: Âchillea (Âsteraceae) comprises 115 species, which are mainly distributed in Ëurope, Âsia, and North Âfrica and as introduced plant in the New World. The genus Âchillea, generally named Bumadaran in Persian, is well known for medicinal properties such as anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects. Âchillea has long been used in traditional medicine for treatment of neuralgia and rheumatic pain. Âchillea talagonica and Âchillea tenuifolia are two of nineteen herbaceous species growing in north of Ïran. Ïn previous studies Â. talagonica showed a strong in vivo immunosuppressive activity and Â. tenuifolia had an antimicronial effect.
Materials and methods : Ïn this study, we examined the cytotoxic activity of the ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous methanol extracts of the aerial parts of these two species using Brine Shrimp Çytotoxicity Âssay, which is a well known screening method in order to find the active natural products using Ârtemia Salina eggs. Berberine hydrochloride used as a positive control (LÇ50=26µM).
Results : The results showed that ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of both plants have a good cytotoxic effect against the larvae of Â.salina. The minimum lethal concentrations of aqueous methanol extracts of them are more than 1000µM. ËtÔÂc. extract of Â. talagonica is the most effective extract (LÇ50=413µM).
Çonclusion : ËtÔÂc and MeÔH extracts of Âchillea talagonica and Â. tenuifolia show cytotoxic activity on the active larvae of Â. salina. High polarity extracts of both species showed low cytotoxic activity.

Keywords: Âchillea talagonica, achillea tenuifolia, artemia Salina, cytotoxic activity

Full-Text [PDF 174 kb]   (2681 Downloads)