Bioactive Components of Salvia and Their Potential Antidiabetic Properties: A Review

Effect of dichloromethanolic fraction obtained from the medicinal plant Scutellaria luteocaerulea on growth, reactive oxygen species, and some virulence factors of Fusarium spp. associated with bread wheat diseases

Dichlomethane (DCM) extract from the roots of Scutellaria luteocaerulea (skullcap) showed in vitro antifungal activity against Fusarium pseudograminearum and Fusarium culmorum, with IC50 values of 550 and 450 μg mL-1, respectively. Additionally, the effects of S. luteocaerulea on hyphal structures of the pathogens, spore germination, and mycelial growth were studied. According to the data obtained, the extract of S. luteocaerulea inhibited spore germination and mycelial growth of both pathogens tested. Additionally, the pathogens hyphae and spores were deformed when treated with the extract of S. luteocaerulea. Induced apoptotic characteristics were detected in both pathogens via the addition of the DCM fraction of S. luteocaerulea into the culture. The DCM fraction of S. luteocaerulea induced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in both pathogens, as a characteristic of apoptosis. Activities of cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs) and production of deoxynivalenol (DON) were reduced. Also, the effect of the DCM fraction of S. luteocaerulea was investigated on the severity of Fusarium crown rot (FCR) and Fusarium head blight (FHB) diseases caused by both fungi on bread wheat. Plants treated with the DCM fraction of S. luteocaerulea showed an increased 1000-grain weight and decreased disease progress in greenhouse conditions. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that the fraction had high concentration of wogonin. Therefore, the DCM fraction obtained from S. luteocaerulea could potentially be used in the future to protect wheat plants against F. pseudograminearum and F. culmorum.

The chromosome-scale assembly of the Salvia plebeia genome provides insight into the biosynthesis and regulation of rosmarinic acid

Salvia plebeia is an important traditional Chinese medicinal herb, with flavonoids and phenolic acids as its primary bioactive components. However, the absence of a reference genome hinders our understanding of genetic basis underlying the synthesis of these components. Here, we present a high-quality, chromosome-scale genome assembly of S. plebeia, spanning 1.22 Gb, with a contig N50 of 91.72 Mb and 36 861 annotated protein-coding genes. Leveraging the genome data, we identified four catalytic enzymes-one rosmarinic acid synthase (RAS) and three cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYP450s) -in S. plebeia, which are involved in rosmarinic acid biosynthesis. We demonstrate that SpRAS catalyses the conjugation of various acyl donors and acceptors, resulting in the formation of rosmarinic acid and its precursor compounds. SpCYP98A75, SpCYP98A77 and SpCYP98A78 catalyse the formation of rosmarinic acid from its precursors at either the C-3 or the C-3' position. Notably, SpCYP98A75 exhibited a stronger hydroxylation capacity at the C-3' position, whereas SpCYP98A77 and SpCYP98A78 demonstrate greater hydroxylation efficiency at the C-3 position. Furthermore, SpCYP98A75 hydroxylated both the C-3 and C-3' positions simultaneously, promoting the conversion of 4-coumaroyl-4'-hydroxyphenyllactic acid to rosmarinic acid. Next, using a hairy root genetic transformation system for S. plebeia, we identified a basic helix-loop-helix protein type transcription factor, SpbHLH54, which positively regulates the biosynthesis of rosmarinic acid and homoplantaginin in S. plebeia. These findings provide a valuable genomic resource for elucidating the mechanisms of rosmarinic acid biosynthesis and its regulation and improve the understanding of evolutionary patterns within the Lamiaceae family.

Salvianolic Acid A Alleviates Sciatic Nerve Injury in Rats Via Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome Through the Activation of Schwann Cells Autophagy

Salvianolic acid A (SalA) is a phenolic acid of Salvia miltiorrhiza with the effects of anti-oxidant and immunoenhancing medicinal properties. In this study, we investigated the activities of SalA on the neurorestorative function and the autophagy-regulated NLRP3 inflammasome in sciatic nerve injury (SNI) rats and schwann cells. Sciatic nerve compression model rats were constructed, the sciatic nerve function index and gastrocnemius muscle mass ratio were used to detect the recovery of motor function. The effect of SalA on repairing pathological injured nerves was evaluated by H&E staining and masson staining, toluidine blue staining and TEM were used to analyze the myelin removal ability. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to identify the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome, autophagy-related proteins and myelin proteins in the injured area. Moreover, the modulatory effects of SalA on cellular antioxidant capacity and damage were investigated by appending the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA based on LPS-treated RSC96 cells. SalA promoted the recovery of motor nerve function after injury, increased the number of myelinated nerve regeneration and improved the damaged myelin sheath structure. SalA administration could increase MBP, NF200 and Beclin-1 expression, reduce the NLRP3/pro-caspase1/ASC signaling pathway in SNI rats, up-regulate LC3 level in RSC96 cells. SalA increased cell survival and decreased inflammatory factors production, which was reversed by 3-MA. SalA restores neuromotor function after nerve crush injury by accelerating early myelin degradation and promoting proliferation. In addition, SalA inhibits neuroinflammation and apoptosis by reducing the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, and autophagy-related signaling pathways may be potential regulatory targets (graphical abstract).

Health Benefits of Traditional Sage and Peppermint Juices: Simple Solutions for Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Support

Sage and peppermint leaves and flowers possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic-regulating properties. This study compared the phenolic profiles confirmed using LC-MS/MS analysis and the biological activities of traditionally prepared sage (SJ) and peppermint juices (PJ), evaluating their ex vivo antioxidant enzyme activity and antidiabetic potential in experimental mice. Quinic acid (2571.86 ± 1.15 µg/g dry weight (d.w.)) and apigenin-7-O-β-glucoside (324.36 ± 1.15 µg/g d.w.) were the predominant phenolic compounds in SJ, while PJ contained caffeic acid (16.96 ± 0.12 µg/g d.w.) and quinic acid (184.27 ± 0.45 µg/g d.w.). The administration of SJ and PJ for ten days significantly reduced the blood glucose levels of the mice. Compared to the control group, which showed an increase from 15.89 ± 3.45 to 29.54 ± 8.94 mmoL/L, SJ-20 mg/kg body weight (BW)-treated mice exhibited a more moderate rise (16.25 ± 7.33 to 21.50 ± 10.38 mmoL/L). Juice administration also enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, with PJ-20 mg/kg BW significantly increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (30.15 ± 3.99 U/mg proteins) compared to the control (18.83 ± 2.04 U/mg proteins). Additionally, catalase (CAT) activity was elevated, indicating enhanced oxidative stress defense mechanisms. Furthermore, treatment with SJ-20 mg/kg BW reduced aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (7025.8 ± 1038.8 to 2782 ± 426.9 IU/L) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (10679 ± 1409.2 to 5336.5 ± 801.5 IU/L), suggesting hepatoprotective effects. These results support the traditional use of sage and peppermint juices as functional beverages with antioxidant, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective properties, warranting further clinical investigation.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Salvia chudaei Ethanol Extract in Hyperlipidemia, Hyperglycemia, and Oxidative Stress in Triton X-100-Induced Wistar Rats

The study explored the efficacy of Salvia chudaei ethanolic extract in managing hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and oxidative stress induced by Triton X-100 in Wistar rats. Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups: Control, S. chudaei-treated, Triton-induced hyperlipidemic, and a combination of Triton + S. chudaei treatment. Triton X-100 raised serum levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) while lowering high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, leading to oxidative stress marked by increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced antioxidant activity in liver and kidney tissues. Administration of S. chudaei extract effectively reversed these adverse effects, significantly lowering cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and LDL levels, and improving HDL cholesterol. It also enhanced antioxidant defenses and reduced oxidative stress markers, demonstrating its protective role against metabolic dysfunction. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds in the extract that contribute to these benefits. The findings suggest that S. chudaei ethanolic extract possesses strong antihyperlipidemic, antihyperglycemic, and antioxidant properties, making it a promising natural agent for preventing and treating hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress. This positions S. chudaei as a potential new therapeutic approach in the management of metabolic disorders.

The antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antihyperlipidemic effects of the polyphenolic extract from Salvia blancoana subsp. mesatlantica on induced diabetes in rats

Currently, several studies have demonstrated the benefits of medicinal plants in managing type 2 diabetes. In this work, we evaluated the beneficial effects of the polyphenolic extract (PESB) from Salvia blancoana subsp. mesatlantica in the management of hypercaloric-feeding and small-dose alloxan-brought type 2 diabetes in rats. We analyzed the chemical constituents of the extract, including flavones and flavonols content, to understand its biological action. The antioxidant activities were evaluated by total antioxidant action, scavenging effect of the free radical DPPH, and reducing power. The obtained results showed that the value of TFC was estimated at 31.90 ± 0.34 mgEQ/g in the PESB extract. The total antioxidant capacity was estimated at 593.51 ± 4.09 mg (EAA)/g, the value of DPPH IC50 was 7.3 ± 0.00 μg/mL, and the value of EC50 of reducing power was estimated at 6.43 ± 0.01 μg/mL. In total, 14 phenolic compounds were identified and the naringin was the most dominant (63.19%) while the vanillin was the less recorded (0.10%). Serum glucose decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in rats given PESB (100 mg/kg) after four weeks. Glibenclamide (GLB) and PESB reduced HbA1c and increased plasma insulin in diabetic rats, restoring HOMA-β and HOMA-IR levels to near-normal. Additionally, diabetic rats treated with GLB or PESB showed statistically equivalent results to those of non-diabetic rats regarding hepatic enzymes, renal and lipid markers, as well as cardiovascular indices. The weight loss was significantly lower in diabetic rats receiving a dose of PESB (100 mg/kg), and GLB compared to corresponding untreated diabetic rats (p < 0.01). PESB and GLB showed a prominent protective function in the pancreas, liver, and kidney tissues. This investigation demonstrates the capacity of extracts from leaves of S. blancoana subsp. mesatlantica to manage diabetes mellitus due to their richness in a wide range of bioactive compounds. Therefore, more investigations are required to estimate the safety of the plant use.

Comparative polyphenolic profiling of five ethnomedicinal plants and their applicative potential in the treatment of type 2 diabetes

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The medicinal plants Salvia officinalis, Trifolium pratense, Agrimonia eupatoria, Cichorium intybus and Vinca minor are traditionally used for the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases, including diabetes.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is one of the most common diseases nowadays, often accompanied by oxidative stress and microbial infections. The aim of our work was to examine the antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of ethanol extracts of five medicinal plants for the purpose of their possible use in the treatment of T2D.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The polyphenolic profile of the plant extracts was analyzed by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography with a diode array detector configured with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (UHPLC/DAD/(-)HESI-MS2). In vitro antidiabetic activity of extracts was determined by measuring the percentage of α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition. The antioxidant activity of the extract was determined by different spectrophotometric methods, while the antimicrobial activity was determined by agar dilution and disc diffusion methods.

RESULTS

A. eupatoria extract contains the highest percentage of flavonoids (94%, with isoquercetin, vitexin, and rutin as the most abundant) in relation to the concentration of total phenolic compounds and exhibits excellent antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity. S. officinalis extract contains 60% flavonoids (predominately cirsimaritin and epigallocatechin gallate) and 40% phenolic acids (with rosmarinic acid being the most abundant from this group) and exhibits weak antidiabetic activity, significant antioxidant activity, and excellent antibacterial activity. A 45% percentage of flavonoids (with isoquercetin as the most abundant one) and 55% of phenolic acids (with ferulic acid as the most abundant) were measured in the extract of T. pratense, which had excellent antidiabetic activity but weaker antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. A similar percentage of flavonoids (52%, with epigallocatechin gallate in the highest concentration) and phenolic acids (48%, with chlorogenic acid as the most abundant) was measured in the extract of C. intybus which showed moderate antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. The extract of V. minor was the richest in phenolic acids (80%, with the most abundant chlorogenic acid), which resulted in weaker antidiabetic and antioxidant activities (except for Fe2+ chelating ability) and antimicrobial activity.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that specific phenolic compounds are responsible for the different biological activities of the plant extracts. Among the investigated plants, the extract of A. eupatoria has the greatest potential for applications in the treatment of T2D.

Identification of isobenzofuranone derivatives as promising antidiabetic agents: Synthesis, in vitro and in vivo inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase, computational docking analysis and molecular dynamics simulations

Diabetes mellitus, one of the major health challenges of the 21st century, is associated with numerous biomedical complications including retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, cardiovascular diseases and liver disorders. To control the chronic hyperglycemic condition, the development of potential inhibitors of drug targets such as α-glucosidase and α-amylase remains a promising strategy and focus of continuous efforts. Therefore, in the present work, a concise library of isobenzofuranone derivatives (3a-q) was designed and synthesized using Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling approach. The biological potential of these heterocyclic compounds against carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes; α-glucosidase and α-amylase, was examined. In vitro inhibitory results demonstrated that the tested isobenzofuranones were considerably more effective and potent inhibitors than the standard drug, acarbose. Compound 3d having an IC50 value of 6.82 ± 0.02 μM was emerged as the lead candidate against α-glucosidase with ⁓127-folds strong inhibition than acarbose. Similarly, compound 3g demonstrated ⁓11-folds higher inhibition strength against α-amylase when compared with acarbose. Both compounds were tested in vivo and results demonstrate that the treatment of diabetic rats with α-amylase inhibitor show more pronounced histopathological normalization in kidney and liver than with α-glucosidase inhibitor. The Lineweaver-Burk plot revealed an uncompetitive mode of inhibition for 3d against α-glucosidase whereas compound 3g exhibited mixed inhibition against α-amylase. Furthermore, in silico molecular docking and dynamics simulations validated the in vitro data for these compounds whereas pharmacokinetics profile revealed the druglike properties of potent inhibitors.

In Vitro Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Anticholinesterase, and Antidiabetic Activities and Chemical Composition of Salvia balansae

CONTEXT

Salvia balansae de Noé (S. balansae) (Lamiaceae) is known to be an important plant used in folk medicine as an herbal remedy in Algeria.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present study was to demonstrate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activities, enzyme inhibitory activities, and antimicrobial activities of S. balansae extracts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A methanolic extract and a petroleum ether extract from the aerial parts of the plant were assessed for their chemical composition. HPLC-MS and HPLC-DAD assessed the content of phenols, GC-MS the fatty acid composition, and ICP-MS the mineral profiles of the plant. Additionally, we evaluated the bioactivities of S. balansae extracts by the DPPH, ABTS, and CUPRAC assays, including the antioxidant potential against AChE, BChE, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase for enzyme inhibition. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the methanolic extract were determined by the disc diffusion test against several strains of bacteria and yeasts.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed that the aerial parts of S. balansae were rich in phytochemical components and contained large amounts of minerals. Quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds by HPLC-DAD revealed the presence of 12 compounds in three major classes, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acid, and phenolic acid derivatives, with 0.61, 0.45, and 0.29 mg/g of extract, respectively. Nine phenolic constituents were quantified by HPLC-MS analysis; catechin (72.5%) was the main compound, followed by myricetin (21.7%). The fatty acid composition of the S. balansae petroleum ether extract by GC-MS analysis was quantified. Seventeen compounds, including palmitic acid, were identified as the major fatty acids. The antioxidant activity of the S. balansae extracts was measured by three different methods: the methanol extract provided better results than the petroleum ether extract, and interesting values were noted for the DPPH, ABTS, and CUPRAC assays of 242.7 ± 7.44, 124.1 ± 9.70, and 222.9 ± 6.05 µg/mL, respectively. The enzyme inhibition activity of the plant could not be determined. The antimicrobial results of the methanolic extract obtained from the disc diffusion method, followed by measurements of MIC, MBC, and MFC against several bacteria and yeasts, indicated that S. balansae exhibited noticeable antimicrobial and antifungal activities.

CONCLUSIONS

These results provided new data about the main phenolic compounds and biological activities of extracts of the aerial parts of S. balansae, which might be an alternative source for synthetic bioactive compounds.

Phenolic, Headspace and Sensory Profile, and Antioxidant Capacity of Fruit Juice Enriched with Salvia officinalis L. and Thymus serpyllum L. Extract: A Potential for a Novel Herbal-Based Functional Beverages

Since certain constituents are not naturally present in pure fruit juices, incorporating herbal extracts can provide specific sensory properties to the beverages and improve their biopotential. In our previous research, it was found that sage (Salvia officinalis L.), wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.), and combinations of their extracts had the highest total phenolic content and a unique composition of volatile compounds, which can contribute to the aromatic and antioxidant qualities of functional products. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the potential of sage and wild thyme extracts, as well as their mixture (wild thyme:sage at 3:1, v/v), to enrich fruit juices (apple, pineapple, and orange). Obtained beverages were evaluated for sensory properties as well as phenolic and headspace composition (UPLC-MS/MS and HS-SPME/GC-MS analysis) and antioxidant capacity (ORAC assay). The incorporation of wild thyme extract in pineapple juice provided the most harmonious flavor and the highest content of volatile compounds (on PDMS/DVB fiber). The orange juice formulations were the most enriched with phenolic and volatile compounds (on DVB/CAR/PDMS fibers). The highest antioxidant capacity was observed in the formulation with orange juice and sage extract (22,925.39 ± 358.43 µM TE). This study demonstrated that enriching fruit juices with sage and wild thyme extracts could create functional beverages with improved sensory and health-promoting properties, providing valuable insights for the food and beverage industry to meet the growing demand of health-conscious consumers for natural and functional products.

Comparative Analysis of Metabolic Variations, Antioxidant Profiles and Antimicrobial Activity of Salvia hispanica (Chia) Seed, Sprout, Leaf, Flower, Root and Herb Extracts

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical profiles of the seeds, sprouts, leaves, flowers, roots and herb of Salvia hispanica and to demonstrate their significant contribution to antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Applied methods were: HPLC-DAD coupled with post-column derivatization with ABTS reagent, untargeted metabolomics performed by LC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS, and two-fold micro-dilution broth method, which involved suspending a solution of tested compounds dissolved in DMSO in Mueller–Hinton broth for bacteria or Mueller–Hinton broth with 2% glucose for fungi. Metabolomic profiling using LC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS used in this study yielded the identification and preliminary characterization of one hundred fifteen compounds. The dominant class of compounds was terpenoids (31 compounds), followed by flavonoids (21 compounds), phenolic acids and derivatives (19 compounds), organic acids (16 compounds) and others (fatty acids, sugars and unidentified compounds). The organic and phenolic acids were the most abundant classes in terms of total peak area, with distribution depending on the plant raw materials obtained from S. hispanica. The main compound among this class for all types of extracts was rosmarinic acid which was proven to be the most abundant for antioxidant potential. All tested extracts exhibited considerable antibacterial and antifungal activity. The strongest bioactivity was found in leaf extracts, which presented bactericidal activity against Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus, S. epidermidis, M. luteus and E. faecalis). The work represents the first compendium of knowledge comparing different S. hispanica plant raw materials in terms of the profile of biologically active metabolites and their contribution to antioxidant, antimicrobial and antifungal activity.

Inhibiting apoptosis of Schwann cell under the high-glucose condition: A promising approach to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy using Chinese herbal medicine

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of diabetes. Glycemic control and lifestyle alterations cannot prevent the development of DPN; therefore, investigating effective treatments for DPN is crucial. Schwann cells (SCs) maintain the physiological function of peripheral nerves and promote the repair and regeneration of injured nerves. Inhibiting the apoptosis of SCs through various pathological pathways in a high-glucose environment plays an important role in developing DPN. Therefore, inhibiting the apoptosis of SCs can be a novel treatment strategy for DPN. Previous studies have indicated the potential of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in treating DPN. In this study, we have reviewed the effects of CHM (both monomers and extracts) on the apoptosis of SCs by interfering with the production of advanced glycation end products, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathological pathways. This review will demonstrate the potentialities of CHM in inhibiting apoptosis in SCs, providing new insights and perspectives for treating DPN.

Semisynthetic Abietic and Dehydroabietic Acid Derivatives and Triptoquinone Epimers Interfere with LPS-Triggered Activation of Dendritic Cells

Abietic acid (AA), dehydroabietic acid (DHA) and triptoquinones (TQs) are bioactive abietane-type diterpenoids, which are present in many edible vegetables and medicinal herbs with health-promoting properties. Evidence suggests that beneficial effects of diterpenes operate, at least in part, through effects on cells in the immune system. Dendritic cells (DCs) are a key type of leukocyte involved in the initiation and regulation of the immune/inflammatory response and natural or synthetic compounds that modulate DC functions could be potential anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory agents. Herein, we report the screening of 23 known semisynthetic AA and DHA derivatives, and TQs, synthesized previously by us, in a multi-analyte DC-based assay that detects inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Based on the magnitude of the inhibitory effect observed and the number of cytokines inhibited, a variety of activities among compounds were observed, ranging from inactive/weak to very potent inhibitors. Structurally, either alcohol or methyl ester substituents on ring A along with the introduction of aromaticity and oxidation in ring C in the abietane skeleton were found in compounds with higher inhibitory properties. Two DHA derivatives and two TQs exhibited a significant inhibition in all pro-inflammatory cytokines tested and were further investigated. The results confirmed their ability to inhibit, dose dependently, LPS-stimulated expression of the co-stimulatory molecules CD40 and/or CD86 and the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12 and TNFα. Our results demonstrate that DC maturation process can be targeted by semisynthetic DHA derivatives and TQ epimers and indicate the potential of these compounds as optimizable anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory agents.

An Ethnopharmaceutical Study on the Hypolipidemic Formulae in Taiwan Issued by Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacies

Globally, approximately one-third of ischemic heart diseases are due to hyperlipidemia, which has been shown to cause various metabolic disorders. This study was aimed to disassemble and analyze hypolipidemic formulae sold by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pharmacies. Using commonly used statistical parameters in ethnopharmacology, we identified the core drug combination of the hypolipidemic formulae, thereby exploring the strategy by which the Taiwanese people select hypolipidemic drugs. Most important of all, we preserved the inherited knowledge of TCM. We visited 116 TCM pharmacies in Taiwan and collected 91 TCM formulae. The formulae were mainly disassembled by macroscopical identification, and the medicinal materials with a relative frequency of citation (RFC) >0.2 were defined as commonly used medicinal materials. Subsequently, we sorted the information of medicinal materials recorded in the Pharmacopeia, searched for modern pharmacological research on commonly used medicinal materials using PubMed database, and visualized data based on the statistical results. Finally, the core hypolipidemic medicinal materials used in folk medicine were obtained. Of the 91 TCM formulae collected in this study, 80 traditional Chinese medicinal materials were used, belonging to 43 families, predominantly Lamiaceae. Roots were the most commonly used part as a medicinal material. There were 17 commonly used medicinal materials. Based on medicinal records in Pharmacopeia, most flavors and properties were warm and pungent, the majority traditional effects were “tonifying and replenishing” and “blood-regulating.” Besides, the targeted diseases searching from modern pharmacological studies were diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. The core medicinal materials consisted of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge and Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge, and the core formulae were Bu-Yang-Huan-Wu-Tang and Xie-Fu-Zhu-Yu-Tang. In addition, 7 groups of folk misused medicinal materials were found. Although these TCMs have been used for a long period of time, their hypolipidemic mechanisms remain unclear, and further studies are needed to validate their safety and efficacy.

GC-MS Chemical Profiling, Biological Investigation of Three Salvia Species Growing in Uzbekistan

Salvia is a potentially valuable aromatic herb that has been used since ancient times. The present work studied the chemical profile of three Salvia species essential oils (EO): S. officinalis, S. virgata and S. sclarea, as well as assessing their antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities. A total of 144 compounds were detected by GC-MS analysis, representing 91.1, 84.7 and 78.1% in S. officinalis, S. virgata and S. sclarea EOs, respectively. The major constituents were cis-thujone, 2,4-hexadienal and 9-octadecenoic acid, respectively. The principal component analysis (PCA) score plot revealed significant discrimination between the three species. The antioxidant activity of the EOs was evaluated using in vitro assays. Only S. virgata EO showed antioxidant activity in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay (26.6 ± 1.60 mg Trolox equivalent (TE)/g oil). Moreover, this oil exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in 2,2-azino bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), cupric-reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and ferric-reducing power (FRAP) assays in comparison with the other two EOs (190.1 ± 2.04 vs. 275.2 ± 8.50 and 155.9 ± 1.33 mg TE/g oil, respectively). However, S. virgata oil did not show any effect in the chelating ability assay, while in the PBD assay, S. officinalis had the best antioxidant activity (26.4 ± 0.16 mmol TE/g oil). Enzyme inhibitory effect of the EOs was assessed against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), tyrosinase, α-glucosidase and α-amylase. AChE enzyme was more sensitive to S. officinalis EO (4.2 ± 0.01 mg galantamine equivalent (GALAE)/g oil), rather than S. virgata EO, which was ineffective. However, S. virgata had the highest BChE effect (12.1 ± 0.16 mg GALAE/g oil). All studied oils showed good tyrosinase inhibitory activity, ranging between 66.1 ± 0.61 and 128.4 ± 4.35 mg kojic acid equivalent (KAE)/g oil). Moreover, the EOs did not exhibit any glucosidase inhibition and were weak or inefficient on amylase enzyme. Partial least squares regression (PLS-R) models showed that there is an excellent correlation between the antioxidant activity and the volatile profile when being compared to that of enzyme inhibitory activity. Thus, the studied Salvia essential oils are interesting candidates that could be used in drug discovery for the management of Alzheimer’s and hyperpigmentation conditions.

Comparative Antioxidant, Anti-Acetylcholinesterase and Anti-α-Glucosidase Activities of Mediterranean Salvia Species

Salvia species have a cosmopolitan distribution and comprise several well-known plants valuable for pharmaceutical and food industries due to their recognized medicinal, food flavouring, and preservative properties. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the biological activities of seven wild-growing Salvia species from the Mediterranean area (S. fruticosa, S. glutinosa, S. nemorosa, S. officinalis, S. pratensis, S. sclarea, S. verticillata). All studied ethanolic leaf extracts exhibited significant DPPH and NO radical scavenging ability, lipid peroxidation inhibition, and reducing power, as well as moderate iron-chelating properties. Together with S. officinalis and S. fruticosa, S. verticillata showed anti-acetylcholinesterase activity, while S. glutinosa was also found to possess the ability to inhibit α-glucosidase. Total flavonoid (0.37-0.90%), phenolic acid (3.55-12.44%), tannin (1.22-2.60%), and anthocyanin contents (0.03-0.08%) were determined in Salvia leaves. Rosmarinic acid was the predominant hydroxycinnamic acid in all studied sage plants, ranging from 9400 to 38,800 μg/g. The correlation study showed a strong relationship between biological activities and contents of total phenolic acids, total tannins, and rosmarinic acid, indicating their significant contribution to the efficiency of tested Salvia species. Our results highlighted Mediterranean sage plants as rich sources of potent antioxidant, neuroprotective, and hypoglycemic agents which are worthy of further research.

Antihyperglycemic Effects of Salvia polystachya Cav. and Its Terpenoids: α-Glucosidase and SGLT1 Inhibitors

The antihyperglycemic activity of ethanolic extract from Salvia polystachya (EESpS) and its products was evaluated using in vivo, ex vivo and in silico assays; additionally, an acute toxicity assay was evaluated. EESpS was classified as a nontoxic class 5 drug. EESpS, ethyl acetate fraction (EtOAcFr), secondary-6-fraction (SeFr6), ursolic acid (UA), and oleanolic acid (OA) reduced the hyperglycemia in DM2 mice. α-glucosidase inhibition was evaluated with oral sucrose and starch tolerance tests (OSuTT and OStTT), an intestinal sucrose hydrolysis (ISH) assay and molecular docking studies using acarbose as control. SGLT1 inhibition was evaluated with oral glucose and galactose tolerance tests (OGTT and OGaTT), an intestinal glucose absorption (IGA) assay and molecular docking studies using canagliflozin as the control. During the carbohydrate tolerance tests, all the treatments reduced the postprandial peak, similar to the control drugs. During the ISH, IC₅₀ values of 739.9 and 726.3 µM for UA and OA, respectively, were calculated. During the IGA, IC₅₀ values of 966.6 and 849.3 for UA, OA respectively, were calculated. Finally, during the molecular docking studies, UA and OA showed ∆G values of -6.41 and -5.48 kcal/mol^-1, respectively, on α-glucosidase enzymes. During SGLT1, UA and OA showed ∆G values of -10.55 and -9.65, respectively.

Salviolone from Salvia miltiorrhiza Roots Impairs Cell Cycle Progression, Colony Formation, and Metalloproteinase-2 Activity in A375 Melanoma Cells: Involvement of P21(Cip1/Waf1) Expression and STAT3 Phosphorylation

Melanoma is a highly malignant solid tumor characterized by an elevated growth and propagation rate. Since, often, melanoma treatment cannot prevent recurrences and the appearance of metastasis, new anti-melanoma agents need to be discovered. Salvia miltiorrhiza roots are a source of diterpenoid derivatives, natural compounds with several biological activities, including antiproliferative and anticancer effects. Seven diterpenoid derivatives were purified from S. miltiorrhiza roots and identified by NMR and MS analysis. Tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone were detected as the main components of S. miltiorrhiza root ethanol extract. Although their antitumor activity is already known, they have been confirmed to induce a reduction in A375 and MeWo melanoma cell growth. Likewise, salviolone has been shown to impair the viability of melanoma cells without affecting the growth of normal melanocytes. The underlying anticancer activity of salviolone has been investigated and compared to that of cryptotanshinone in A375 cells, showing an increased P21 protein expression in a P53-dependent manner. In that way, salviolone, even more than cryptotanshinone, displays a multitarget effect on cell-cycle-related proteins. Besides, it modulates the phosphorylation level of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3. Unexpectedly, salviolone and cryptotanshinone induce sustained activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2 and the protein kinase B (Akt). However, the blockage of ERK1/2 or Akt activities suggests that kinase activation does not hinder their ability to inhibit A375 cell growth. Finally, salviolone and cryptotanshinone inhibit to a comparable extent some crucial malignancy features of A375 melanoma cells, such as colony formation in soft agar and metalloproteinase-2 activity. In conclusion, it has been shown for the first time that salviolone, harboring a different molecular structure than tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone, exhibits a pleiotropic effect against melanoma by hampering cell cycle progression, STAT3 signaling, and malignant phenotype of A375 melanoma cells.