Abstract

Achillea millefolium is a flowering plant in the family, Asteraceae and is known to be used in traditional medicine as astringent, stimulant, tonic, antiphlogistic and for the treatment of cold and influenza. In an earlier study in the authors’ laboratory, four different extracts of a variety of yarrow called Achillea ‘Moonshine’ were tested for anti-acne effect. The petroleum ether extract of Achillea ‘Moonshine’ was demonstrated earlier in the authors’ laboratory to have phytochemicals that could scavenge free radicals, inhibit growth of Propionibacterium acnes and reduce tyrosinase activity which are needed for acne treatment. Using column chromatography, the petroleum ether extract was fractionated and each fraction was tested against P. acnes using TLC bioautography. The active compound from TLC bioautography was isolated by HPLC and identified using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Mass Spectrometry studies. This led to characterization of a novel piperidide, N-(21-hydroxy-21-(piperidin-1-yl) henicosa-17, 19-diyl-1-yl) acetamide, from the petroleum ether extract of Achillea ‘Moonshine’ that contributed to the anti-acne activity. This study led to identification of a novel natural anti-acne compound that is anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial against acne causing organism.

Key words: Achillea ‘Moonshine’, petroleum ether extract, anti-acne activity, piperidides