Evaluation of the phytochemical content and antioxidant properties of different extracts of Achillea odorata L.

The present study reports the chemical profile and antioxidant activity of Achillea odorata L. aerial parts of different extracts obtained using five solvents of varying polarities (decocted, hydro-ethanol, hydro-methanol, hydro-ethyl acetate and hydro-chloroform extracts). The chemical profile and the antioxidant potential were evaluated by measuring the total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, total tannin content, 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical-scavenging, reducing the power of FeCl3 and phenanthroline assays. The highest phenolic content and antioxidant potential were generally shown by the methanol extract (AME). AME exhibited the highest values for total polyphenols content (424.94 ± 0.58 mg gallic acid equivalent /g of dry extract), ABTS (13.46 ± 1.153 µg/mL), reducing the power of FeCl3 (9.918 ± 0.019 µg/mL) and phenanthroline (6.22 ±0.04 µg/mL). These results suggest that A. odorata L. possesses potential antioxidant compounds that could be tested as drug candidates against oxidative-related pathological processes. Keywords: Achillea odorata L., Antioxidant activity, Free radical scavenging, Polyphenols, Reducing power.