Total phenolic contents, free radical scavenging activities and inhibitory effects on the activation of NF-kappa B of eight Centaurea L. species.

Extracts obtained from aerial parts of eight Centaurea L. (Asteraceae) species (C. calolepis, C.

Elemanolide sesquiterpenes and eudesmane sesquiterpene glycosides from Centaurea hierapolitana.

Two elemanolide sesquiterpenes and two eudesmane-type sesquiterpene glycosides named hierapolitanins A-D, were isolated, together with five known compounds, two flavones; hispidulin and jaceosidin, a flavon-C-glycoside, shaftoside, a flavonol glycoside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside and a neolignan, dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol from the aerial parts of Centaurea hierapolitana Boiss. (Asteraceae). Structure elucidations were based on spectroscopic evidence.

The protective effects of Achillea L. species native in Turkey against H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative damage in human erythrocytes and leucocytes.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of infusions prepared from 15 Achillea (Asteraceae) species against H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative damage in human erythrocytes and leucocytes used in traditional Turkish medicine. CAT, SOD and GPx activities, effects of LPO and GSH levels of the infusions on erythrocytes and leucocytes were assessed. The results indicated that all infusions of Achillea species were effective on antioxidant enzyme systems of erythrocytes and leucocytes when compared with H(2)O(2) group.

Antispasmodic effect of Achillea nobilis L. subsp. sipylea (O. Schwarz) Bässler on the rat isolated duodenum.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the antispasmodic effect of the total extract of Achillea nobilis L. subsp. sipylea (Schwarz) Bässler (Asteraceae) on rat duodenum.