Essential oil composition and antioxidant activity of Salvia officinalis L. and Achillea millefoliom L. from Kerman province

Salvia officinalis L. and Achillea millefoliom L. have been reported as an antioxidant, anti infection and anti inflammatory. In this study aerial parts of both of plants in blooming were collected in June 2014 (1700m) from their natural habitats in Kerman province. Essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation (Clevenger apparatus) and were analyzed by GC/MS. Total phenol content was measured by Folin–Ciocalteau method and their antioxidant activity was measured by DPPH. Results were showed that the oil of Salvia officinalis L. had higher amount of phenolic compounds (1.8 mg E GA/ml) and antioxidant activity(99.48% radical scavenging). The camphor (33.6%), α-tujene (25.4%) and 1,8-cineole(13.8%) were the most components of S.officinalis L. essential oil, respectively and the 1,8-cineole (22.3%), carvacrol (15%) and γ-terpinene were the most components of A.millefolium L. These results were confirmed that the secondary metabolites of these plants possess antioxidant activity and could be used as a natural antioxidant ingredient in food and drug industries.