Qualitative and quantitative determination of total phenols in Achillea tenuifolia lam

Abstract

Epidemiological evidence indicates that a diet rich in plant-derived foods significantly reduces the risk of many types of cancers and cardiovascular diseases, suggesting that certain dietary antioxidants could be effective agents for preventing cancer incidence and mortality. Polyphenols, found in these plants, are considered to be the chief agents responsible for the biological functions and disease cure. Iraqi Achillia Santolina is an essential member of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family rich in polyphenolic compounds. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of methanolic extract of aerial parts were investigated by TLC and HPLC. The extraction yield of the aerial parts of Iraqi Achillea tenuifolia Lam.was (24.53 %). The total Phenolic Content of the methanolic extract was estimated by Folin-Ciocalteu colourimetric assay. The content was (23.88556 ± 2.2) expressed as Gallic acid equivalent mg/gm of dry extract. The HPLC analysis of the methanolic extract revealed different classes of phenolic compounds such as flavan-3-ol flavonoids (catechin and epicatechin), hydroxycinnamic acids (P-coumaric acid, cinnamic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid) and hydroxybenzoic acid (gallic acid). Catechin exhibited the highest concentration (42.011 mg/g) followed by p-coumaric acid, cinnamic acid, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and epicatechin with concentrations of (27.7), (20.45), (20.06), (19.34), (11.372), and (5.627), respectively. The study concluded, that Iraqi A. tenuifolia is rich in polyphenols and may be a good source of antioxidants and may be regarded as potential anticancer or lead compounds for the synthesis of drugs for the same purpose.