The desert yarrow is ubiquitous in the Middle East and has been harvested by Bedouins for many years to treat a variety of health ailments. It is commonly sold in the region. Incidentally, PD in Arabic people is very, very low.


Anti-neuroinflammatory effects of the extract of Achillea fragrantissima.
Elmann A, Mordechay S, Erlank H, Telerman A, Rindner M, Ofir R.

Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The neuroinflammatory process plays a central role in the initiation and progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, and involves the activation of brain microglial cells. During the neuroinflammatory process, microglial cells release proinflammatory mediators such as cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO)...The extract of Achillea fragrantissima (Af), which is a desert plant that has been used for many years in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases, was the most efficient extract, and was further studied for additional anti-neuroinflammatory effects in these cells

RESULTS:
We have found that out of the 66 desert plants tested, the extract of Af was the most efficient extract and inhibited ~70% of the NO produced by the LPS-activated microglial cells, without affecting cell viability. In addition, this extract inhibited the LPS - elicited expression of the proinflammatory mediators IL-1β, TNFα, MMP-9, COX-2 and iNOS in these cells.

CONCLUSIONS:
Thus, phytochemicals present in the Af extract could be beneficial in preventing/treating neurodegenerative diseases in which neuroinflammation is part of the pathophysiology..