E. Németh

Biological Activities of Yarrow Species (Achillea spp.)

The genus Achillea consists of about 140 perennial herbs native to the Northern hemisphere. Traditional indications of their use include digestive problems, liver and gall-bladder conditions, menstrual irregularities, cramps, fever, wound healing. The Commission E approves its internal use for loss of appetite and dyspeptic ailments (gastric catarrh, spastic discomfort), externally it is used in form of sitz bath or as a compress against skin inflammation, slow healing wounds, bacterial or fungal infections. In the last decades, pharmacological studies became intensive, although human clinical investigations are still rare. Recent findings have confirmed several traditional uses. The largest number of data accumulated for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. There are positive results on the analgesic, anti-ulcer, choleretic, hepatoprotective and wound healing activities. First results on other interesting therapeutical areas - antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antitumor, antispermatogenic activities -need confirmation. Yarrow can be used also as an insect repellent. Contact dermatitis as adverse effect may be connected to sesquiterpenes. The diversity and complexity of the effective compounds of yarrow species explains the broad spectrum of their activity. According to the literature the pharmacological effects are mainly due to the essential oil, proazulenes and other sesquiterpene lactones, dicaffeoylquinic acids and flavonoids. Synergistic actions of these and other compounds are also supposed. Achillea species have different chemical and therapeutical values. Despite of numerous data, correct evaluation of the results is difficult because of missing generally accepted taxonomical nomenclature. The used chemical-analytical methods and bio-assays are utmost diverse, making the comparison complicated. Further research on the activity is needed using exactly defined plant material, standardized methods and chemical analysis.

Essential Oil Composition of Species in the Genus Achillea

Abstract Based on the present knowledge of essential oil composition of species belonging to the genus Achillea the factors, which may infuence the composition with regard to plant biology, production and application are discussed. According to studies from the last 15 years, a mean of 54 compounds have been identifed in samples of different species. Among them, the largest number of components (149 compounds) were found in the oils of A. millefolium, A. pannonica and A. collina. The monoterpenes, 1,8-cineole, camphor, borneol, α- and β-pinenes are among the fve most abundant components. Beside chamazulene, the most frequently identifed sesquiterpenes are β-caryophyllene and its oxide. The presence of chamazulene seems to remain a characteristic, but it is not ubiquitous to the members of the Millefolium group. The heritance mechanism of sesquiterpenes, especially chamazulene, seems to be established, while we know relatively less about the genetic regulation of the monoterpene compounds. During ontogenesis, major differences could be found between the stages before and after fower development. The phenological phase assuring the highest level of azulenes seems to be during fowering. Composition and compositional changes of an essential oil within the Achillea genus in different plant organs seems to depend on the species. In several cases a dominance of sesquiterpene components above the monoterpenes was found in the vegetative organs. The most important differ-ence seems to be the lack or low amount of chamazulene as artefact in the extracts compared to the distillates.

Regularities of the essential oil accumulation in developing fruits of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) and its histological background

Abstract Production biological and anatomical background of essential oil accumulation in the developing fruits of Foeniculum vulgare Mill, subsp. vulgare var. vulgare (chemovar.; anethole, chemoform; low anethole - low methyl chavicol) were studied. Nine different stages of development of generative organs were distinguished for analysis. It was proved by histological investigations, that oil ducts (vittae) are present in the early stages of development of generative organs, even at the time of bud formation, however their relative area (calculated to the cross section) shows maximum at the time of seed setting (53.6%). The oil yield shows its maximum (11.6%) at that special time and in the early development stages of fruits, when the relative ratio of oil ducts is high and the accumulation of the assimilates (development of endosperm) have not started yet. In contrary the oil yield calculated to one schizocarp is increasing up to the final ripening stages (0.787 μL/fruit) and the process can be describe...

Essential Oil Composition of Achillea crithmifolia W. et K. 1. Identification of Chemovarieties Grown in Wild Populations

ABSTRACT Under open field and phytotron conditions (in “warm” and “cold” programs) the individuals of four Hungarian wild growing populations of Achillea crithmifolia W. et K. have been studied. According to the main essential oil constituents the populations of the Matra mountain were characterized as “camphor-types,” while those of the Visegradi and Borzsony mountains were characterized as “cineole-types” and “achillenol-types” respectively, although neither one of the populations was homogeneous. Because this chemical difference remained constant under both phytotron conditions, we believe that the differences are genotypic rather than phenotypic. Also, as morphological features of the plants could not be correlated with any characteristic essential oil composition, the plant individuals which possess different main oil components must be examples of real chemotypes. Our observations indicate, however, some changes due to environmental factors as well as ontogenetical stages.

Chemotypes and their stability in Achillea crithmifolia W. et K. populations.

Abstract The chemotype composition of Achillea crithmifolia populations were studied in selfed and crossed progenies in order to gain information on their genetical background, with special respect to the main essential oil components: camphor, 1,8-cineole and borneol. Distilled flower oils of individual samples of the original population, 36 self-pollinated progenies (1-1, 1-2, 1-3), 25 F-1 and 44 F-2 hybrid generations were analyzed by GC. Camphor and borneol proved to be present in each sample, while 1,8-cineole was missing only in 0.17% of them. Based on the results, a quantitative description of the main chemotypes (camphoraceous, cineolic and mixed) was given. In the established progenies, the proportion of the chemotypes varied according to the mother plants and breeding method. The segregation reveals that each of the mother plants possessed a heterozygotic structure for genes regulating the level of the main compounds. Further, the same chemotype detectable as a phenotype might exist on the basis of a different genotypical background. The correlation system of the three monoterpenes was in harmony with these findings and the accepted biochemical models of their synthesis. It was concluded that a homogenous chemical constitution in the populations might be obtained only after several years inbreeding, and the examined compositional traits should be treated in breeding like quantitative features of polygenic determination.

Quantitative and qualitative studies of essential oils of hungarian Achillea populations

ABSTRACT A sample of 23 indigenous Achillea collina Becker populations originating from different Hungarian habitats were evaluated concerning essential oil content and composition. Plants that were 2 years old and propagated from seeds of the wild growing populations had been investigated in 2003. The essential oil content of the flowers fluctuated between 0.07 and 1.77% DW. The examined oil samples of A. collina are typical sesquiterpene-type oils (with exceptions of borneol and α-terpineol 0.5–18.4%). The major component of each population was chamazulene (30–67% of the flower oils and 28–68% of the leaf oils). Further main components have been β-caryophyllene (2–17%) and β-cubebene (1–9%). Significant, positive correlations between the essential oil content of flowers and leaves (r = 0.41), content of chamazulene of flower and leaf oils (r = 0.85), and content of caryophyllene of flower and leaf oils (r = 0.58) were established. The characteristic components of the oils are not in connection with the original habitat. Also, individuals of the same population may differ both in their potential of essential oil accumulation level and its composition. Although some strains seems to be rather homogeneous (CV < 0.1), others give a considerably varying quality. The best strains had been nominated for cultivar development.

Achillea species used medicinally in Hungary

The genus Achillea consists of about 140 perennial species, of which 14 are indigenous in Hungary. In the local folk medicine, yarrow species are listed among the most commonly used plant species against bleeding, stomach complaints, menstrual spasms, in the form of infusion or externally as a poultice. Chemotaxonomical studies in the Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Budakalasz and at the Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants at the Corvinus University, Budapest, contributed to the knowledge of the intraspeciflc chemical diversity of about 10 indigenous species. From the beginning of the 1960s to the present, about 650 Achillea populations had been sampled and their essential oil composition determined. In addition, investigations focused on the factors which may influence the appearance of the chemotype. Studies on the genetic linkage of essential oil compounds, changes in essential oil composition during ontogenesis and according to plant organ, as well as on effects of tempe...

Traditions and Up-to-Date Trends in Production and Use of Phyto-pharmaceuticals in Hungary

Abstract The Hungarian Pharmacopoea (PhHg. VII.) describes 71 drugs, 16 different essential- and 8 fatty oils derived from medicinal and aromatic plants. Beside, in the regulation of Hung. Government (2002) 163 drugs, 43 essential oils and 13 fatty oils are allowed to be sold in pharmacies and herbal shops. Quality should conform with requirements of PhHg.VII, of Hung. National Standards, ISO standards in some cases of Ph.Eu or other European pharmacopoeias. The use of phyto-pharmaceuticals has been increasing for about 15 years. The official background of this kind of preparations is based on a Ministry Decree of 1987. Three different categories are distinguished. About a quarter (410) products belongs to category I., in which the registration procedure seems to be relatively easy; the majority of the products belongs to category II. where efficacy and safety have to be proved pharmacologically; and only 58 products are registered in category III., where the efficacy has to be proved by clinical investigations. However, the latest Law on Medicines (1998) declared a withdraw of the products which cannot be re-registered as a medicine in five years time. Currently, the realization of this order should be harmonized with EU regulations, which, however, are now only in preparation! The most frequently used species are peppermint (in 15% of the products), fennel, camomile, lemon balm, thyme, hawthorn, eucalyptus, nettle, orange. The largest group is formed by preparations applied against digestive system problems, furthermore by roborants, laxatives, vitamins and digestives. The most favorite formulations are the solution and the capsule.