Evaluation of the achillea millefolium L. for european pharmacopoeia 7.0.

Achillea millefolium L. is used for centuries in traditional medicine for wound healing, diuretic, apetizer and menstruel disorders (1).. Aerial parts of the plant are used in a wide variety of forms, including infusion, tincture, liquid extract, total extract, hip bath and the use of water obtained by squeezing fresh plant leaves (2). The Achillea genus is widely distributed in the North hemisphere mostly in Europa, Asia and America includes more than 85 species have been recognized in this genus and 46 of those species which thrive in Turkey. 25 of these species are endemic (2). The pharmacological effect of the Achillea millefolium L. is mainly due to the compounds in the volatile oil as the azulene compounds (6-19%) (2). In tis study, the botanical properties of Achillea millefolium L., the chemical content of the aerial parts of the plant which used as medicines, biological activity studies and information about the use of medicinal indications are examined in detail. All analyzes in the European Pharmacopoeia 7.0, which are sold in the market under the name of 'Civanperçemi' have been studied for each sample. For this purpose, macroscopic and microscopic examinations, foreign matter determination, all ash determination, HPTLC analysis, UV spectroscopy tests were carried out for each sample and the compliance with the criteria specified in the European Pharmacopoeia of 22 samples was investigated. The azulen type compound called 'gayazulen' in the volatile oil obtained from the aerial parts of the Achillea millefolium L. plant is one of the important markers for species identification according to the European Pharmacopoeia. Gayazulen, which must be present in the essential oil of the plant, was examined qualitatively for each sample with HPTLC method. As a result of the study; in 2 of 22 samples examined, blue colored essential oil containing gayazulen was obtained however one of them was not examined as a drug because an insect was detected. On macroscopic examination; 2 samples were identifed as different genus and 4 samples were powder plant so sufficient data could not be obtained. In the foreign material determination test; 5 samples including animal residues and they were not examined as drugs. As a result of experiments and investigations only number 14 sample was evaluated as a drug. Keywords: Achillea millefolium L., Asteraceae, Civanperçemi, Yarrow, Gayazulen