Exploiting the beneficial effects of Salvia officinalis L. extracts in human health and assessing their activity as potent functional regulators of food microbiota.

Salvia officinalis L. has attracted scientific and industrial interest due to its pharmacological properties. However, its detailed phytochemical profile and its correlation with beneficial effects in the human microbiome and oxidative stress remained elusive. To unveil this, S. officinalis was collected from the region of Epirus and its molecular identity was verified with DNA barcoding. Phytochemical profile for both aqueous and ethanol-based extracts was determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and 103 phytochemicals were determined. The effect of S. officinalis extracts as functional regulators of food microbiota by stimulating the growth of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus strains and by suppressing evolution of pathogenic bacteria was verified. Furthermore, we recorded that both extracts exhibited a significant cellular protection against H2O2-induced DNA damage. Finally, both extracts exhibited strong inhibitory effect towards LDL oxidation. This study provides a comprehensive characterization of S. officinalis on its phytochemical components as also its potential impact in human microbiome and oxidative stress.

Green Synthesis of Chitosan-Capped Gold Nanoparticles Using Salvia officinalis Extract: Biochemical Characterization and Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities.

Increasing antimicrobial resistance to the action of existing antibiotics has prompted researchers to identify new natural molecules with antimicrobial potential. In this study, a green system was developed for biosynthesizing gold nanoparticles (BAuNPs) using sage (Salvia officinalis L.) leaf extract bioconjugated with non-toxic, eco-friendly, and biodegradable chitosan, forming chitosan/gold bioconjugates (Chi/BAuNPs). Characterization of the BAuNPs and Chi/BAuNPs conjugates takes place using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray spectra, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and zeta potential (Z-potential). The chemical composition of S. officinalis extract was evaluated via gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). This study evaluated the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of human pathogenic multidrug-resistant (MDR) and multisensitive (MS) bacterial isolates using the agar diffusion method. Chi/BAuNPs showed inhibition of the MDR strains more effectively than BAuNPs alone as compared with a positive standard antibiotic. The cytotoxicity assay revealed that the human breast adenocarcinoma cancer cells (MCF7) were more sensitive toward the toxicity of 5-Fu + BAuNPs and 5-Fu + Chi/BAuNPs composites compared to non-malignant human fibroblast cells (HFs). The study shows that BAuNPs and Chi/BAuNPs, combined with 5-FU NPs, can effectively treat cancer at concentrations where the free chemical drug (5-Fu) is ineffective, with a noted reduction in the required dosage for noticeable antitumor action.

Antibacterial activity of essential oils of Salvia Officinalis growing in Morocco.

Background: The bacterial infections treatment is complicated by antibiotic resistance. In this fact, the need for new therapeutic approaches to control bacterial infections is crucial. Therefore, discovering new antibiotics from medicinal plants, able to kill drug-resistant bacteria, is essential to saving modern medicine. Objective: This study was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of Salvia officinalis essential oil (SoEO) growing in Morocco. Material and methods: The essential oil was extracted by hydro distillation, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined by agar dilution method. The essential oil was analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and fractionated/purified using column chromatography followed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Results: The results revealed that SoEO showed higher antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis and Citrobacter freundii. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, and purification/fractionation of SoEO, indicates that the most polar fraction F6 is the active fraction of SoEO. This finding can be explained by the existence of polar compounds in this fraction including alcohols, and phenols as thymol, eugenol, globulol, and spathulenol. Conclusions: It can be conclude that alcohols and phenols from Salvia officinalis essential oil (SoEO) have promising antibacterial activity. This action can offer a great possibility of the application of SoEO in the treatment of bacterial diseases.

Salvia officinalis flowers extract ameliorates liver and kidney injuries induced by simultaneous intoxication with ethanol/castor oil.

The current study investigated the possible mechanisms of aqueous extract Salvia officinalis flowers (SF-AE) and its protective effects against hepatorenal toxicities produced by simultaneous acute administration of ethanol (EtOH)/castor oil (CO). Healthy male rats (N = 50) were separated into five equal groups: control, Ethanol (EtOH) + Castor oil (CO), doses of increasing orders of SF-AE (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.) during 15 days. Liver and kidney injuries were induced by EtOH (4 g/kg, b.w., p.o.) combined with CO (5 mL/kg, b.w., p.o.). Compared to the control group, SF-AE pretreatment protected against simultaneous administration of EtOH and CO-caused serious histological alterations in liver and kidney tissues. SF-AE also reversed liver and kidney biochemical parameters and lipid profile alterations. More importantly, SF-AE significantly reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and counteracted the depletion of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. SF-AE also prevents against inflammation induced by EtOH combined with CO, expressed by the rise of inflammation biomarkers (C-reactive protein: CRP and alkaline phosphatase: ALP). Additionally, combined EtOH intoxication and CO poisoning exerted an increase in H2 O2 , free iron and calcium levels. Impressively, SF-AE treatment regulated levels of these studied intracellular mediators in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, SF-AE can potentially improve liver and kidney injuries associated with biochemical parameter deregulations, possibly by controlling oxidative stress and inflammation.

Salvia officinalis restores semen quality and testicular functionality in cadmium-intoxicated male rats.

The present study investigated the potential ability of Salvia officinalis, one of the oldest medicinal plants, to protect male rats against cadmium reproductive toxicity. Twenty-eight healthy male rats were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 7); control, Salvia-extract treated group, cadmium treated group and a group treated with both Cd and Salvia. Administration of cadmium reduced the relative testis to body weight and significantly affected sperm parameters by decreasing motility, viability, count and increasing morphological aberrations. Comet assay was used to detect DNA fragmentation in sperms of the rats exposed to Cd. Serum levels of testosterone T, follicle stimulating hormone FSH, and luteinizing hormone LH were significantly decreased. The biochemical analysis of testicular tissue showed a significant rise in Malondialdehyde MDA level coupled with a decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase SOD, glutathione peroxidase GPx and catalase CAT). The histological examination of testis sections after Cd administration revealed severe degeneration of spermatogenic cells. Seminiferous tubules were filled with homogenous eosinophilic fluid associated with atrophy of other seminiferous tubules. Co-treatment with the Salvia officinalis extract restored the oxidative enzymes activities and decreased the formation of lipid peroxidation byproduct, which in turn ameliorated the effect of Cd on sperm parameters, DNA damage and testis histopathology. Taken together, it can be concluded that the synergistic antioxidant and radical savaging activities of Salvia officinalis prevented the effect of Cd on semen quality, sperm DNA damage, along with the oxidative stress and histological abnormalities in the testis tissues.

Exogenous Putrescine Changes Biochemical (Antioxidant Activity, Polyphenol, Flavonoid, and Total Phenol Compounds) and Essential Oil Constituents of Salvia officinalis L.

Polyamines are small polycationic molecules containing amines that are present in almost all cells of living organisms and act in a wide range of physiological processes, growth, and development, biological and protection of cells against free radicals. This research is based on principal component analysis (PCA) and calculation of selection criteria (SC) to investigate the effect of foliar spraying of polyamine putrescine on essential oil yield, essential oil compounds, antioxidant activity, and biochemical compounds (polyphenol, flavonoid, and total phenol compounds) of Salvia officinalis. The treatments used included four levels of putrescine, Put (Control: 0, Put1: 500, Put2: 1000, and Put3: 1500 mg L-1 ) with five replications. Based on our results, four factors had eigenvalues≥1 and showed a cumulative variance percentage of 92.57 % by applying different concentrations of putrescine. According to the results of this research, putrescine had significant effects on the amount of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity. The best attention to improving the essential oil yield of sage was 1000 mg L-1 . The crucial essential oil compounds of different Put treated sage were: cis-thujone (35.34 %), camphor (15.60 %), trans-thujone (9.90 %), 1,8-cineole (9.46 %), α-humulene (3.85 %), viridiflorol (3.62 %), camphene (3.58 %), α-pinene (3.50 %), ß-pinene (2.78 %), and limonene (1.23 %). The results showed that the amount of total phenol, the phenolic composition of catechin, and the antioxidant activity of sage plant extract increased significantly when putrescine was used at 1000 mg/liter. Results can use the current research to optimize the production management of medicinal plants and improve the quality of their products. In addition, the advantage of using putrescine is that it increases antioxidants and reduces oxidative damage, and can replace medicinal plants as suitable natural preservatives, thus improving food quality and safety.

Fortification of Fermented Camel Milk with Salvia officinalis L. or Mentha piperita Leaves Powder and Its Biological Effects on Diabetic Rats.

The incorporation of fermented camel milk with natural additives possesses numerous benefits for the treatment of various pathological and metabolic conditions. The present study investigated the impact of fortification of fermented camel milk with sage or mint leaves powder (1 and 1.5%, respectively) on glucose and insulin levels, lipid profile, and liver and kidney functions in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The gross chemical composition of sage and peppermint leaves powder was studied. The chemical composition of sage and mint extracts was performed using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) of sage and mint extracts. Furthermore, a total of forty-two adult normal male albino rats were included in this study, whereas one group was kept as the healthy control group (n = 6 rats) and diabetes was induced in the remaining animals (n = 36 rats) using alloxan injection (150 mg/kg of body weight). Among diabetic rats groups, a control group (n = 6 rats) was kept as the diabetic control group whereas the other 5 groups (6 rats per group) of diabetic rats were fed fermented camel milk (FCM) or fermented camel milk fortified with 1 and 1.5% of sage or mint leaves powder. Interestingly, the oral administration of fermented camel milk fortified with sage or mint leaves powder, at both concentrations, caused a significant decrease in blood glucose level and lipid profile, and an increase in insulin level compared to the diabetic control and FCM groups. Among others, the best results were observed in the group of animals that received fermented camel milk fortified with 1.5% sage powder. In addition, the results revealed that the fermented camel milk fortified with sage or mint leaves powder improved the liver and kidney functions of diabetic rats. Our study concluded that the use of sage and mint leaves powder (at a ratio of 1.5%) with fermented camel milk produces functional food products with anti-diabetic activity.

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.

Hepato-Nephroprotective Actions of Salvia officinalis Decoction Extract Against Extraintestinal Alterations Induced with Acetic Acid-Colitis Model in Rats.

Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with multiple extraintestinal disorders, including hepato-nephrological disruptions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepato-nephroprotective effect of Salvia officinalis leaf decoction extract (SLDE) on acetic acid (AA)-induced colitis accompanied with liver and kidney injuries. Wistar albinos rats were pretreated with SLDE (50, 100, and 200 mg kg-1, b.w., p.o.) during 10 days and intoxicated for 24 h by acute rectal administration of AA (3%, v/v, 5 mL kg-1, b.w.). Our results showed that S. officinalis treatment protected against AA-induced liver and kidney injuries by plasma transaminase activities and preservation of the hepatic and renal tissue structures. The level of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was also reverted back to near normalcy by treatment. Lipid peroxidation was decreased significantly by officinal sage supplementation. Treatment with SLDE increased enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and nonenzymatic (-SH groups and reduced glutathione) antioxidants in liver and kidney tissues. Also, SLDE treatment significantly protected against inflammation markers and reversed all intracellular mediator perturbations. This study suggests that the S. officinalis has a beneficial effect in controlling kidney and liver injuries by reducing lipid peroxidation and increasing antioxidant enzyme activities and nonenzymatic contents, which reduce the risk of developing extraintestinal complications.

Salvia officinalis L. Methanolic Extract Reduces Lead and Nicotine-Induced Sperm Quality Degeneration in Male Rats.

Most heavy metals and industrial chemicals such as nicotine and lead cause harm to the reproduction process through a decrease in sperm motility, fertilization process, and sperm binding to the oocyte. Salvia officinalis L. (sage) has been reported to enhance serum testosterone levels and other certain biochemical enzymes. Thus, the current study is aimed at evaluating the potential health benefits of S. officinalis L. methanol extract on lead and nicotine hydrogen tartrate-induced sperm quality degeneration in male rats and also identifying some of the non-polar volatile bioactive compounds that might be attributed to the bioactivity of S. officinalis extract using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In the study, fifty-four mature male albino rats of about 220-250 g [were divided randomly and equally into 9 groups (n=6)]. Sperm quality degeneration was induced through the oral administration of 1.5 g/L of lead acetate in drinking water or peritoneal injection of 0.50 mg/kg (animal weight) nicotine hydrogen tartrate for sixty days. Two doses (200 & 400 mg/kg b.w.) of S. officinalis L. were used. The rats were anesthetized after the experimental period and then sacrificed. Blood samples were collected while the epididymis, testicle, and accessory sex organs (prostates and seminal vesical) were taken for histopathological studies. Twelve major compounds were identified through the GC/MS analysis of S. officinalis L. methanol extract. Lead and nicotine toxicity had a great effect on the rats' sperm quality causing a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the quantity of sperm and sperm motility as well as an upsurge in the abnormalities of the sperm and a reduction in the length & diameter of seminiferous tubules and size & weight of sexual organs (accessory sex glands, epididymis, and testis). The administration of S. officinalis L. methanol extract, however, had a positive impact on the sexual organ weights, semen quality & quantity, and rats' fertility, thus, ameliorating the adversative effects of both lead and nicotine. Further evaluation and isolation of the bioactive components are recommended as potential drug leads.

Interactive effect of silicon and nitric oxide effectively contracts copper toxicity in Salvia officinalis L.

Excess copper (Cu) causes the toxic effects in plants and health hazards to humans. Therefore, in this study, the effect of sodium silicate (1 mM Si) and sodium nitroprusside (200 µM SNP as a releasing NO), was assessed on Cu tolerance in Salvia officinalis L. plants exposed to 400 µM CuSO4. Results revealed that the combined supplementation with Si and SNP rather than the single application of these chemicals lowered Cu concentrations and translocation factor and increased Mg, Zn, and Fe concentrations in roots and shoots. Furthermore, combined treatment more efficiently decreased electrolyte leakage enhanced the activities of POD and APX in the leaves and roots, and improved relative water content and the content of Chl. a and Chl. b in leaves and consequently further increased tolerance index. Silicon supply enhanced NO content and applying Si + SNP more than the treatment of Si alone increased Si concentrations in the roots and shoots under Cu stress. Therefore, the reciprocal interaction of Si and NO might enhance Cu tolerance in plants, and the combined application of Si and SNP might be a promising strategy to decrease heavy metal accumulation in medicinal plants grown in polluted lands.

In most studies, co-precipitation of silicon and heavy metals in medium has been suggested as a reason for reducing heavy metal uptake in plants. In this study, the impact of Si on NO generation and the role of NO signaling in regulating Cu uptake and translocation and defensive responses were assessed to clarify another mechanism of Si in inducing Cu tolerance in sage. Furthermore, the combined application of Si and SNP has been indicated as an innovative strategy to enhance Cu tolerance and decrease heavy metal accumulation in medicinal plants grown in polluted lands.

Foliar application of silicon, selenium, and zinc nanoparticles can modulate lead and cadmium toxicity in sage (Salvia officinalis L.) plants by optimizing growth and biochemical status.

Different techniques have been used to alleviate metal toxicity in medicinal plants; accordingly, nanoparticles (NPs) have a noticeable interest in modulating oxidative stresses. Therefore, this work aimed to compare the impacts of silicon (Si), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) NPs on the growth, physiological status, and essential oil (EO) of sage (Salvia officinalis  L.) treated with foliar application of Si, Se, and Zn NPs upon lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) stresses. The results showed that Se, Si, and Zn NPs decreased Pb accumulation by 35, 43, and 40%, and Cd concentration by 29, 39, and 36% in sage leaves. Shoot plant weight showed a noticeable reduction upon Cd (41%) and Pb (35%) stress; however, NPs, particularly Si and Zn improved plant weight under metal toxicity. Metal toxicity diminished relative water content (RWC) and chlorophyll, whereas NPs significantly enhanced these variables. The noticeable raises in malondialdehyde (MDA) and electrolyte leakage (EL) were observed in plants exposed to metal toxicity; however, they were alleviated with foliar application of NPs. The EO content and EO yield of sage plants decreased by the heavy metals but increased by the NPs. Accordingly, Se, Si, and Zn NPS elevated EO yield by 36, 37, and 43%, respectively, compared with non-NPs. The primary EO constituents were 1,8-cineole (9.42-13.41%), α-thujone (27.40-38.73%), ß-thujone (10.11-12.94%), and camphor (11.31-16.45%). This study suggests that NPs, particularly Si and Zn, boosted plant growth by modulating Pb and Cd toxicity, which could be advantageous for cultivating this plant in areas with heavy metal-polluted soils.

Antimicrobial potential of kombucha fresh cheese with the addition of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) and its preparations.

One of the main challenges in fresh cheese technology is its rather limited shelf life. Prolongation of the shelf life of fresh cheese has been the focus of numerous research studies and different strategies have been thus used. One of the strategies that could prolong the shelf life of fresh cheese, as well as increase its quality is the application of different starter cultures. As the antimicrobial capacity of sage (Salvia officinalis) has been proven, the possibility of reusing its by-product obtained from a tea factory could be a significant step towards the retention of environmental equilibrium and simultaneous production of food with additional functional value. Therefore, the aim of our research was to examine the antimicrobial potential of kombucha fresh cheese with the addition of ground herbal sage, sage essential oil and sage supercritical fluid extract, and compare it with fresh cheese obtained from a commercial starter culture. In order to examine the antimicrobial activity of kombucha fresh cheese produced with the addition of sage preparations, the produced samples were artificially contaminated with common foodborne contaminants: Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The obtained results revealed that the addition of sage essential oil and herbal ground sage increased the antimicrobial activity during the 30 days of storage against E. coli in kombucha fresh cheese (decrease of 2.9 and 2.5 log CFU g-1, respectively). Implementation of sage significantly increased the antimicrobial activity of the fresh cheese produced with a commercial XPL-1 starter culture against L. monocytogenes (essential oil - 0.9 log CFU g-1 and ground sage - 1.2 log CFU g-1). In the XPL-1 sample, the growth of S. aureus was inhibited by the addition of ground sage - a decrease of 1.4 log CFU g-1. Analysis of the total phenols revealed their 5-fold higher content in the kombucha fresh cheeses compared to the samples obtained by the XPL-1 starter culture. These results correlate with the higher antimicrobial activity of the kombucha fresh cheese samples compared to the XPL-1 samples. According to our results, industrial waste, obtained as a by-product in sage (Salvia officinalis) filter tea production, can be efficiently used in fresh cheese technology in order to increase the antimicrobial activity against L. monocytogenes, E. coli and S. aureus.

Nine-dimensional bioprofiles of Tunisian sages (Salvia officinalis, S. aegyptiaca and S. verbenaca) by high-performance thin-layer chromatography - effect-directed analyses.

Ethyl acetate extracts of Tunisian Salvia aegyptiaca and S. verbenaca aerial parts and S. officinalis leaves were examined via bioanalytical profiling using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) combined with nine bioactivity assays, namely antibacterial (Aliivibrio fischeri, Bacillus subtilis, and Rhodococcus fascians), antifungal (Bipolaris sorokiniana, and Fusarium avenaceum), radical scavenging (DPPH•), and enzyme inhibitory (α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase, and lipase) ones. The screening, using toluene - ethyl acetate - methanol 6:3:0.5 (V/V/V) as a mobile phase, revealed five bioactive zones (a-e) that were analyzed by HPTLC-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Zones b and c, observed exclusively in S. officinalis, were active in all assays except α-glucosidase, and only c inhibited F. avenaceum. Compounds in these zones were identified by HPLC-high resolution tandem MS (LC-HRMS/MS) as rosmanol/epi-rosmanol and methyl carnosate, respectively. In the bioactive zones a and e, corosolic/maslinic acid and ursolic/oleanolic acid isomer pairs were present, which could be identified in all three Salvia species after their HPTLC separation using pre-chromatographic derivatization with iodine and MS detection. The triterpenes inhibited B. subtilis and R. fascians bacteria and α-glucosidase enzyme. Linoleic and linolenic acids were detected in zone d, which showed strong lipase inhibition in all three sage species.

Effect of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) extract in antioxidant status and intestinal morphology of pulmonary hypertensive chickens.

OBJECTIVES: The effects of dietary sage on the growth performance, antioxidant status, intestinal mucosa morphology, and pulmonary hypertensive response were investigated in broiler chickens with pulmonary hypertension. METHODS: Chicks (Ross 308) were reared under cold stress for 35 days and treated with 0.05% vitamin C (positive control) and 0 (control), 0.1 or 0.2% sage extracts, then performance, oxidant and antioxidant status, and intestinal morphology were evaluated. RESULTS: The index of pulmonary hypertension (RV:TV) was decreased, and weight gain (days 22-35) was increased in all treatments (except for sage 0.1%) compared with control (P < 0.05). Lipid peroxidation was decreased, whereas the activity of antioxidant enzymes (GPX, CAT, and SOD) was increased in the sage 0.2% group compared with control (P < 0.05). In the lung, SOD, CAT, and GPX transcripts were decreased in the sage 0.2% group compared with control (P < 0.05). In the right ventricle of the heart, SOD and CAT transcripts were increased in the sage 0.2% group compared with other groups of chickens, whereas GPX transcript was decreased (P < 0.05). The jejunal villus length in the chickens fed sage was significantly lower than in control (P < 0.05). The ileal villus width, villus surface area, and lamina proporia thickness in the chickens fed sage (0.2%) were increased compared with control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplementation of sage (0.2%) could modulate pulmonary hypertensive response, improve antioxidant status (enzymatic activity), intestinal morphometry, and absorptive surface in the broiler chickens.

The Different Phytochemical Profiles of Salvia officinalis Dietary Supplements Labelled for Menopause Symptoms.

Phytochemical screening of four commercial products containing Salvia officinalis was carried out. Total phenolic content was estimated spectrophotometrically through the use of the Folin-Ciocalteau method, flavonoid content was measured through the use of aluminum chloride and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine colorimetric assays, and isoflavones and α/ß-thujones were analyzed through the use of high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) and the gas chromatographic method. The analyses revealed the absence of thujones and isoflavones (i.e., genistin, genistein, and daidzein) in all four different extracts. The content of polyphenolic compounds varied among the samples, with the extract T being richer in both polyphenols and flavonoids than the other products by 1.8-3.2 and 1.4-4.0 times, respectively (p-value < 0.05). These results highlight the importance of quality control in salvia-based products since a thujone-free extract rich in polyphenols and flavonoids could be a good candidate for further preclinical and clinical studies to identify an effective herbal approach suitable for the long-term therapy of menopausal symptoms.

Metal chelating and anti-radical activity of Salvia officinalis in the ameliorative effects against uranium toxicity.

Uranium is a highly radioactive heavy metal that is toxic to living things. In this study, physiological, cytogenetic, biochemical and anatomical toxicity caused by uranium and the protective role of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) leaf extract against this toxicity were investigated with the help of Allium test. Germination percentage, root length, weight gain, mitotic index (MI), micronucleus (MN) formation, chromosomal aberrations (CAs), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and changes in root meristem cells were used as indicators of toxicity. In the experimental stage, a total of six groups, one of which was the control, were formed. Group I was treated with tap water, while group II and III were treated only with sage (190 mg/L and 380 mg/L). Groups IV, V and VI were germinated with uranyl acetate dihydrate (0.1 mg/mL), uranyl acetate dihydrate + 190 mg/L sage and uranyl acetate dihydrate + 380 mg/L sage, respectively. Allium cepa L. bulbs of each group were germinated for 72 h, and at the end of the period, routine preparation techniques were applied and physiological, cytogenetic, biochemical and anatomical analyzes were performed. As a result, uranium application caused a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in all physiological parameters and MI values. MN, CAs numbers, SOD and CAT enzyme activities and MDA levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) with uranium application. Uranium promoted CAs in the root tip cells in the form of fragment, vagrant chromosome, sticky chromosome, bridge and unequal distribution of chromatin. In addition, it caused anatomical damages such as epidermis cell damage, cortex cell damage and flattened cell nucleus in root tip meristem cells. Sage application together with uranium caused significant (p < 0.05) increases in physiological parameters and MI values and significant decreases in MN, CAs, SOD and CAT activities and MDA levels. In addition, the application of sage resulted in improvement in the severity of anatomical damages induced by uranium. It was determined that the protective role of sage observed for all parameters investigated was even more pronounced at dose of 380 mg/L. The protective role of sage against uranium toxicity is related to its antioxidant activity, and sage has 82.8% metal chelating and 72.9% DPPH removal activity. As a result, uranyl acetate exhibited versatile toxicity in A. cepa, caused cytotoxicity by decreasing the MI rate, and genotoxicity by increasing the frequencies of MN and CAs. And also, Sage acted as a toxicity-reducing agent by displaying a dose-dependent protective role against the toxic effects induced by uranyl acetate.

Chemical Analysis and Investigation of Biological Effects of Salvia officinalis Essential Oils at Three Phenological Stages.

Salvia officinalis is a medicinal plant used to treat some diseases, including microbial infections and diabetes. Different studies showed the biological and pharmacological properties of this species. The aim of this study was the determination of the chemical compounds of S. officinalis essential oils and the investigation of their antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The chemical compounds of S. officinalis were determined by GC-MS analysis. The antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH, ABTS, H2O2, and FRAP assays. The in vitro antidiabetic effect was evaluated by the inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase activities, and the anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated using the 5-lipoxygenase assay. Moreover, antibacterial activity was assessed against six bacterial strains using agar well diffusion assay and microdilution method. The main compounds in essential oils of S. officinalis at three phenological stages were naphthalenone, camphor, 1.8-cineole, and α-thujone. The full flowering stage essential oil showed the best antioxidant activity with different IC50 values according to the used tests. This oil also exhibited important inhibitory effects at the full flowering stage against α-amylase (IC50 = 69.23 ± 0.1 µg/mL), α-glucosidase (IC50 = 22.24 ± 0.07 µg/mL), and lipase (IC50 = 37.3 ± 0.03 µg/mL). The 5-lipoxygenase inhibitory effect was the best at the full flowering stage (IC50 = 9.24 ± 0.03 µg/mL). The results of the antibacterial evaluation revealed that, at three seasonal periods, S. officinalis essential oil demonstrated strong antibacterial activity. Although the full flowering stage had the best antibacterial activity, there were no significant differences between the three stages. Additionally, the essential oils showed bactericidal effects on Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhimurium, respectively. The findings of this work showed remarkably that S. officinalis synthesizes essential oils according to different developmental stages. Moreover, it has exhibited interesting biological and pharmacological properties justifying its medicinal effects and suggesting it as a very important source of natural drugs.

In Vitro Inhibitory Effect of Some Secondary Metabolites Extract from Ocimum basilicum and Salvia officinalis Against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp albedinis of Phoenix dactylifera. L.

Fusarium of date palm is a vascular fusariosis caused by a telluric fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. albedinis (F.O.A) which affects the best date varieties in Algeria. Several medicinal plants are adapted with the climatic complexity of the Saharan region, among these plants in the south-west of Algeria Salvia officinalis and Ocimum basilicum. The aim of this work is to study the antifungal effect of flavonoid extracts from Salvia officinalis and Ocimum basilicum leaves by the technique described by Bouchelta et al. (2005), as well the antifungal effect of the aqueous extract of these plants against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. albedinis isolated from the grove of Igli. The evaluation of the antifungal activity revealed a slight mycelial growth anti-proportional to the concentration of flavonoid extract added to the culture medium with an inhibition index of 73.04% at the concentration 3.17 µg/ml and 57.42% at the concentration 1.13 µg/ml for flavonoids extract of Ocimum basilicum and Salvia officinalis, respectively. In addition, the aqueous extract revealed an inhibition index of 35.15% at the concentration of 0.33 mg/ml and 10.54% at the concentration of 3.92 mg/ml for Salvia officinalis and Ocimum basilicum, respectively.

Evaluation of antiobesity and hepatorenal protective activities of Salvia officinalis extracts pre-treatment in high-fat diet-induced obese rats.

The present study evaluated the effects of Hail Salvia officinalis total extract (SOTE) and its high flavonoid fraction (SOHFF) on the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and hepatorenal damage in rats. Salvia officinalis plants were collected from Hail region, Saudi Arabia. Rats were fed HFD and supplemented orally with SOTE (250 mg kg-1) or SOHFF (100 mg kg-1) or simvastatin (SVS; 10 mg kg-1) every day for 8 weeks. Compared to the controls, HFD-induced obesity led to significant increases in body weight, body weight gained, blood insulin, leptin, cardiac enzymes (LDH and CPK) activity, and atherogenic index (AI). HFD rats also showed higher levels of hepatic and renal function biomarkers (ALT, urea, and creatinine), as well as lower levels of PPARγ and Nrf2-gene expression and a disrupted lipid profile. Moreover, HFD rats had lower levels of hepatic and renal antioxidant biomarkers (CAT, GPx, SOD, GR, and GSH), accompanied by higher levels of hepatic and renal lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), and inflammatory mediators (interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)). In addition, histological examination of hepatic and renal tissues revealed histopathological changes that validated the biochemical findings. Compared to HFD group, SOTE and SOHFF treatment led to marked amelioration of all the aforementioned parameters. Collectively, supplementation with SOTE and SOHFF effectively reversed HFD-induced alterations through its antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, SOTE and SOHFF have therapeutic potential in controlling obesity and related pathologies.