PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND BIOACTIVE POTENTIAL OF ACHILLEA LANULOSA EXTRACT
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Abstract
Achillea is a genus known for its potent medicinal properties and, hence plants of this genus have been used traditionally for the treatment of fever, pain, wounds healing and inflammation in different parts of the world. Considering the use of this plant and its products at such large scale in treating different ailments, the scientific validation of such claims becomes very important. A. lanulosa is one of the least studied varieties from Achillea genus that might have great medicinal importance. Therefore, the current study has been undertaken to explore the phytochemical constituents, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of A. lanulosa extract prepared in 80% methanol. Phytochemical profiling of the extract by qualitative and quantitative assays has revealed the presence of phytoconstituents including phenolics and flavonoids. Gas chromatography and Mass spectrometry of the extract showed significant concentration of 20 compounds including polyhydroxy acids, flavonoids and tocopherols and different type of terpenes. The DPPH scavenging assay had shown the significant antioxidant potential of the extract with IC50 of 24.5 ± 3.56 µg/ml. Further, the well diffusion assay demonstrated a pronouncedantibacterial activity in the plant extract against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Enterobacter sp. The findings of this study highlight the therapeutic potential of A. lanulosa, which may be helpful and promising option for additional research to fight bacterial infections and enhance human health.
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