Isolation and identification of three new flavones from Achillea millefolium L.

Column chromatography on silica gel of a petroleum ether extract of the flowering heads of Achillea millefolium L. allowed three flavones to be separated and identified. Spectral studies (PMR, mass spectrometry, and UV) and a comparison with data for compounds reported in the literature established the flavones as 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,4'-tetramethoxyflavone, artemetin, and casticin. These compounds have not been reported previously as constituents of A. millefolium.