From traditional use to assay-guided characterization: phytochemical and biological insights into the potential of Achillea millefolium

Research and characterization of bioactive compounds are becoming key aspects of cosmetics, driven by the increasing importance of plant-based ingredients in formulations. Indeed, the collaboration between academia and industry aims to identify new and high-performance natural actives for innovative cosmetic applications. Among botanical species, yarrow ( Achillea millefolium L.), a medicinal plant from the Asteraceae family, native to Europe and western Asia and now widespread worldwide, is a prominent candidate for cosmetics applications. With a long history in traditional medicine, in the skin disorders field, yarrow is highly valued for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, skin-lightening, and antimicrobial properties [ 1 ]. Our extract, obtained from the aerial parts by rapid solid-liquid dynamic extraction using the Naviglio ®​ extractor [ 2 ], was then freeze-dried and the dry extract was used for subsequent chemical and biological analyses. In particular, it was analyzed for total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity by ABTS analysis, demonstrating antiradical properties. Building on these findings, our investigation focused on in vitro assays using keratinocytes (HaCaT cell line), first assessing the extract’s safety on cell viability and then evaluating its antioxidant activity through MTT and DCFH-DA assays, respectively. The results showed that, at safe concentrations, the Yarrow extract exhibited a significant scavenging effect, protecting cells from H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative stress. The next phase aims to investigate its wound-healing properties and protection against stress induced by H 2 O 2 and LPS. Finally, we intend to compare these properties with those of a commercially available Yarrow extract, produced using the same matrix and extraction solvent ratio. Publication History Article published online: 05 March 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany