Gastroprotective and digestive effects of Achillea moschata, a case study of alpine ethnobotany

Introduction: Achillea moschata Wulfen (Asteraceae) is an alpine species collected for a long time and locally known as a powerful digestive, though it is also used for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hypotensive and antineuralgic activities. So far, no study has been carried out to validate any traditional use. Different extracts (essential oil, solvent and aqueous extracts) obtained from aerial parts of A. moschata were characterized and assayed for their biological activities. In vitro digestibility of lipids under simulated small intestine conditions was verified by pH-stat method. Antioxidant capacity was investigated by ABTS+ and DPPH radical scavenging assays. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was assessed against Helicobacter pylori. Cytotoxic effects of A. moschata were evaluated by MTT and SRB assays on NCI-N87 and OE21 gastroesophageal cancer cell line