Document Type : Research Paper
Author
Academic member of Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Medicinal Plants Department
Abstract
The composition of essential oil of Tanacetum parthenium (l.) Schultz-Bip. (Fever few, Asteraceae) of Iran was investigated using GC and GC-MS. Camphor and chrysanthenyl acetate were the main constituents of the sample originating from ornth Iran. The yielded a relatively high percentage of oil (0.65%,v/w), calculated on the dry weight. Feverfew is used over long period of times as a migraine prophylactic agent. The sequterpene lactone parthenolide is held responsible for this biological activity. In addition, chrysanthenyl acetate may display an analgestic effect by inhibiting the enzyme prostaglandin synthetase. Based on the esults of our investigation and literature data, a number of recommendations are proposed with respect to the essential oil of t. parthenium.
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