Comprehensive Evaluation of Antioxidant Potential of 10 Salvia Species Using High Pressure Methods for the Isolation of Lipophilic and Hydrophilic Plant Fractions

Salvia verticillata (L.)-Biological Activity, Chemical Profile, and Future Perspectives

Species belonging to the genus Salvia, Lamiaceae, have been deeply involved in the folk medicine of different nations since ancient times. Lilac sage, or Salvia verticillata L. (S. verticillata) is a less studied species from the genus. However, it seems to have a prominent potential for the future drug discovery strategies of novel phytopharmaceuticals. This review aims to summarise the data on the biological activity and the phytochemical profile of extracts and essential oils derived from S. verticillata. This review is based on data from 57 in vitro and in vivo studies. The chemical profile of S. verticillata includes different synergic compounds like phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenes, and salvianolic acids. Although some small amounts of salvianolic acid B were found in S. verticillata extracts, the major compound among the salvianolic acids is salvianolic acid C, a compound associated with the potential for improving liver fibrosis, cardio- and hepatoprotection, and the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The cannabinoid type 2 receptor agonist β-caryophyllene is one of the major compounds in S. verticillata essential oils. It is a compound with a prominent potential in regenerative medicine, neurology, immunology, and other medical fields. The in vivo and the in vitro studies, regarding S. verticillata highlighted good antioxidant potential, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal activity. S.verticillata was also reported as a potential source of drug candidates for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, because of the inhibitory activity on the acetylcholinesterase. However, the number of studies in this direction is limited.

Validating the Hypoglycaemic and Hypotensive Roles of Salvia serotina (Chicken Weed) in Normal Healthy Sprague-Dawley Rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an endocrine disease and is characterized by hyperglycaemia. Salvia serotina L. (chicken weed) has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments including DM. Aqueous, hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol crude extracts of S. serotina L. were investigated for their anti-oxidant activities and hypoglycaemic and hypotensive effects in normal, healthy Sprague-Dawley rats using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and the CODA noninvasive blood pressure system to determine systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR). The aqueous extract caused a free radical scavenging effect with an IC50 value of 10.2 ± 1.01 µg/mL versus vitamin C (9.42 ± 1.01 µg/mL). The extract lowered the blood glucose concentration at the 150 minute interval (5.00 ± 0.22 mM vs. 6.51 ± 0.33 mM; p = 0.004) and the 180 minute interval (4.77 ± 0.27 mM vs. 5.93 ± 0.0.30 mM; p = 0.015). The hexane extract gave significant hypoglycaemic activity at the 120 minute interval (4.54 ± 0.21 mmol/L vs. 5.50 ± 0.17 mmol/L; p = 0.005). The hexane extract also significantly lowered the SBP (132 ± 6 mm Hg; p = 0.014), DBP (106 ± 7 mm Hg; p = 0.034), and MAP (114 ± 7 mm Hg; p = 0.023) versus the controls SBP (156 ± 4 mm Hg), DBP (132 ± 8 mm Hg), and MAP (140 ± 6 mm Hg). Bioassay-directed purification of the hexane extract yielded 3,7,11-trimethyl-1,6,10-dodecatrien-3-ol (1), 3,7,11-trimethyl-2,6,10-dodecatrien-1-ol (2), and 5,22-stigmastadien-3β-ol (3) as active principles. Hence, S. serotina L. showed anti-oxidant, hypoglycaemic, and hypotensive effects in the rats and may have potential applications in the treatment of diabetes.

Acute Effects of Salvia Supplementation on Cognitive Function in Athletes During a Fatiguing Cycling Exercise: A Randomized Cross-Over, Placebo-Controlled, and Double-Blind Study

Background:Salvia (sage) supplementation has been shown to improve the cognition function in healthy individuals or patients (e.g., attention, memory). To date, no study has explored its relevancy in the context of sporting performance. The aim of this study was to explore the acute effects of a combination of Salvia officinalis and Salvia lavandulaefolia on cognitive function in athletes performing a fatiguing cycling task.

Methods: Twenty-six volunteers were included in this cross-over, randomized, double-bind vs. placebo trial. Two hours before the two experimental sessions (here called SAGE and PLACEBO), volunteers randomly received a supplementation of sage or placebo. During each experimental session, participants were tested at four occasions while cycling during a warm-up, in the middle and at the end of a fatiguing task and after a short 5-min recovery. Tests included a Stroop task, a simple reaction time task, and a backward digit span memory task. Heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were also measured at the beginning of the four test sessions.

Results: Heart rate was significantly greater during the fatiguing exercise than during warm-up and recovery (P < 0.001) without any supplementation effect. RPE was greater during the fatiguing exercise than during warm-up and recovery (P < 0.001). Moreover, RPE was significantly lower during the SAGE session as compared to PLACEBO (P = 0.002). Reaction time was not altered during the exercise but was significantly shorter with SAGE as compared to PLACEBO (P = 0.023). The Stroop task only revealed significantly longer reaction time during warm-up as compared to recovery (P = 0.02) independently of the supplementation. The digit span memory test revealed a significant greater span score with SAGE as compared to PLACEBO (P = 0.044).

Conclusion: The combination of Salvia improved the cognitive functions (perceived exertion, working memory, and reaction time). The positive effects were obtained in fresh condition and were maintained with fatigue.

Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Capacity of Selected Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Diversity upon Plant Species and Extraction Technique

Phenolic content and antioxidant capacity (AC) was evaluated in extracts of bay, sage and thyme leaves, myrtle leaves and berries, and sea buckthorn berries obtained by conventional (CE) and advanced extraction techniques [ultrasound-assisted (UAE) and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE)] using 80% acetone (v/v) as extraction solvent. Extracts were analyzed for phenolic content using UPLC/ESI MS2 and AC by ORAC method. Results indicated the variations in the phenolic composition and concentrations among analyzed plant species and applied extraction methods. Flavonoids showed to be the predominant phenolic group represented by flavonols kaemferol-3-O-hexoside (182.58–321.45 mg 100−1 g dm) and quercetin-3-glucoside (253.05–315.67 mg/100 g dm) in bay leaves, by flavonol isorhamnetine-3-O-hexoside (27.76–45.16 mg/100 g dm) in sea buckthorn berries and by flavone luteolin-7-O-glucoside (470.27–781.78 mg/100 g dm) in sage leaves. Among the phenolic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids and their derivates were the predominant phenolic group in thyme leaves and myrtle. Statistical analysis showed that ASE contributed to the highest content of total flavonols, flavones, hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids as well as AC. CE was more efficient method for the extraction of total flavan-3-ols, while UAE showed the highest efficiency in extraction of total anthocyanins. Analyzed plant extracts proved to be a rich source of various phenolics and results indicated suitable extraction methods for target phenolic compounds characteristic for certain plant species.

Salvia Species as Nutraceuticals: Focus on Antioxidant, Antidiabetic and Anti-Obesity Properties

Salvia plants belong to the Lamiaceae family and are recognized as being strongly aromatic, being widely used for different purposes in culinary or traditional medicine. These plants are well recognized as being rich in phenolic acids, flavonoids and terpenic compounds, which exhibit health-beneficial activities, protecting against oxidative and inflammatory-related diseases, such as diabetes and obesity. Because of these properties, phytochemicals from Salvia species have been investigated as health promoting agents, for application in distinct fields. However, the growing demand for natural products with possible uses and applications in industry requires scientific validation studies. This review consists of a compilation of relevant studies with an emphasis on the antioxidant, antidiabetic and anti-obesity properties of phenolic-rich extracts from Salvia plants.

Salvia officinalis Extract and 17β-Estradiol Suppresses Ovariectomy Induced Osteoporosis in Female Rats

&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; Osteoporosis is a progressive metabolic disorder characterized by an impaired bone formation that leads to increased morbidity and mortality.&lt;i&gt; Salvia officinalis &lt;/i&gt;is a source of phytoestrogens that could help mitigate the risk of osteoporotic rat fracture by exerting sex hormones. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the curative effect of &lt;i&gt;Salvia officinalis &lt;/i&gt;Extract&lt;i&gt; &lt;/i&gt;(SOE) and&lt;i&gt; &lt;/i&gt;17β-estradiol (E&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;) and their combination&lt;i&gt; &lt;/i&gt;on bone loss in female rats with ovariectomy-induced estrogen deficiency &lt;b&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; Forty adult female albino rats were divided into five groups, which included Sham control (Sham), ovariectomy (OVX), OVX+SOE, OVX+E&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; and OVX +SOE+E&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;.&lt;i&gt; &lt;/i&gt;SOE (10 mL kg&lt;sup&gt;&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;) and E&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; (30 μg kg&lt;sup&gt;&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;) had been daily gavaged in the OVX+SOE, OVX+E&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; and OVX+SOE+E&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;, respectively for 6-weeks. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; The model of ovariectomy resulted in osteoporosis as demonstrated by the decreased serum Ca, P, vitamin D, E&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; level associated with a significant increase in PTH levels in comparison to the sham control group. Besides, OVX to rats caused up-regulation in the levels of CTX-1, P1NP, BALP, OC and RANKL comparable to the sham control group. Moreover, SOE and E&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; significantly modulated the calciotropic parameters and improved all bone turnover markers as well as RANKL as compared to the OVX group. However, Histopathological and immunohistochemical results showed defective mineralization with the destruction of the bone matrix and increased TNF-α expression from the OVX group relative to the treated groups. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; These results suggest that both SOE and E&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; or their combined administration are efficient inhibitors against ovariectomy-induced bone loss in female rats.

Sage Species Case Study on a Spontaneous Mediterranean Plant to Control Phytopathogenic Fungi and Bacteria

Sage species belong to the family of Labiatae/Lamiaceae and are diffused worldwide. More than 900 species of sage have been identified, and many of them are used for different purposes, i.e., culinary uses, traditional medicines and natural remedies and cosmetic applications. Another use of sage is the application of non-distilled sage extracts and essential oils to control phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi, for a sustainable, environmentally friendly agriculture. Biocidal propriety of non-distilled extracts and essential oils of sage are w documented. Antimicrobial effects of these sage extracts/essential oils depend on both sage species and bacteria and fungi species to control. In general, it is possible to choose some specific extracts/essential oils to control specific phytopathogenic bacteria or fungi. In this context, the use of nanotechnology techniques applied to essential oil from salvia could represent a future direction for improving the performance of eco-compatible and sustainable plant defence and represents a great challenge for the future.

Salvia elegans, Salvia greggii and Salvia officinalis Decoctions: Antioxidant Activities and Inhibition of Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolic Enzymes

Salvia elegans Vahl., Salvia greggii A. Gray, and Salvia officinalis L. decoctions were investigated for their health-benefit properties, in particular with respect to antioxidant activity and inhibitory ability towards key enzymes with impact in diabetes and obesity (α-glucosidase, α-amylase and pancreatic lipase). Additionally, the phenolic profiles of the three decoctions were determined and correlated with the beneficial properties. The S. elegans decoction was the most promising in regard to the antioxidant effects, namely in the scavenging capacity of the free radicals DPPH•, NO• and O₂•⁻, and the ability to reduce Fe3+, as well as the most effective inhibitor of α-glucosidase (EC50 = 36.0 ± 2.7 μg/mL vs. EC50 = 345.3 ± 6.4 μg/mL and 71.2 ± 5.0 μg/mL for S. greggii and S. officinalis, respectively). This superior activity of the S. elegans decoction over those of S. greggii and S. officinalis was, overall, highly correlated with its richness in caffeic acid and derivatives. In turn, the S. officinalis decoction exhibited good inhibitory capacity against xanthine oxidase activity, a fact that could be associated with its high content of flavones, in particular the glycosidic forms of apigenin, scutellarein and luteolin.

Salvia (Sage): A Review of its Potential Cognitive-Enhancing and Protective Effects

Genus Salvia, commonly known as sage, is the largest genus in the Lamiaceae family. It comprises many species traditionally used as brain-enhancing tonics. In vitro and animal studies have confirmed that several Salvia species contain a large array of active compounds that may enhance cognitive activity and protect against neurodegenerative disease. In this review, the active constituents in plants belonging to the genus Salvia are summarised, and their influence on pharmacodynamics pertinent to cognitive activity are detailed. In particular, the effects of plants belonging to the genus Salvia and their constituents on cognitive skills including memory, attention and learning are detailed. Their potential effects in dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, are also examined. Completed human trials are summarised, and factors influencing the potency of Salvia plants are covered. Finally, directions for future research are proposed to enhance our understanding of the potential health benefits of Salvia plants.

Phytochemical composition of fractions isolated from ten Salvia species by supercritical carbon dioxide and pressurized liquid extraction methods

Ten Salvia species, S. amplexicaulis, S. austriaca, S. forsskaolii S. glutinosa, S. nemorosa, S. officinalis, S. pratensis, S. sclarea, S. stepposa and S. verticillata were fractionated using supercritical carbon dioxide and pressurized liquid (ethanol and water) extractions. Fifteen phytochemicals were identified using commercial standards (some other compounds were identified tentatively), 11 of them were quantified by ultra high pressure chromatography (UPLC) with quadruple and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Q/TOF, TQ-S). Lipophilic CO₂ extracts were rich in tocopherols (2.36-10.07mg/g), while rosmarinic acid was dominating compound (up to 30mg/g) in ethanolic extracts. Apigenin-7-O-β-d-glucuronide, caffeic and carnosic acids were quantitatively important phytochemicals in the majority other Salvia spp. Antioxidatively active constituents were determined by using on-line high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis combined with 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay (HPLC-DPPH). Development of high pressure isolation process and comprehensive characterisation of phytochemicals in Salvia spp. may serve for their wider applications in functional foods and nutraceuticals.