Investigation of chemical compounds and effects of Achilea wilhelmsii L essential oil on antioxidant and malondialdehyde levels of serum and brains of reserpined mice

Achillea wilhelmsii has antioxidant properties and it has been recommended in traditional medicine for depression. The objective of this study was to investigate the chemical compounds of essential oils of aerial part of A. wilhelmsii with and its antidepressant effects in male mice using forced swim and tail suspension tests.

In this study, 60 mice were examined in 6 groups (n = 10), including normal saline as control group, reserpine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) as negative control group, reserpine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) and amitriptyline 18 hours thereafter (2 mg/kg) as positive control group, reserpine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) and essential oil (50, 75 or 100 mg/kg, i.p.) 18 hours thereafter as the intervention group. Forced swim and tail suspension tests were used to measure depression in mice. Antioxidant capacity and chemical composition of the essential oil, as well as antioxidant and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in serum and brain of mice were determined.

Reserpine injection significantly increased the time of immobility in the forced swim and tail suspension tests. Essential oil (50, 75 and 100 mg/kg) and amitriptyline reduced the immobility time. Reserpine and amitriptyline significantly increased serum and brain malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and decreased antioxidant capacity of serum and brain. Essential oil increased antioxidant capacity of serum and brain and reduced malondialdehyde level. Antioxidant power of essential oil was determined 2.32 mg/ml. The major compounds of essential oil were chrysanthenone (14.31%), camphor (13.95%), 1-8 cineole (10.01%), and trans-pinocarveol (9.50%).

Due to the antioxidant power of A. wilhelmsii essential oil in reducing serum and brain malondialdehyde, it seems that the this plant decreased depression symptoms in mice by reducing oxidative stress that it is probably due to terpene bioactive compounds in the essential oil.