Salvia officinalis L. leaf extracts: Chemical analysis and biological studies

Plants contain various bioactive molecules that may promote human health by preventing the onset and progression of different illnesses, including cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative conditions, and cardiovascular issues. Salvia species have been employed since ancient times in traditional medicine and for culinary use.

Herein, four extracts from leaves of Salvia officinalis L., cultivated in Calabria (Italy) were obtained and quali- and quantitatively characterized, finding a high presence of bioactive compounds. The extracts were investigated for their biological activities, showing interesting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. In addition, all the extracts were tested for their potential regulation of some enzymes involved in neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, as MAO-A and B, AChE and BChE. Finally, the safety of the extracts was also investigated.

The extracts were obtained using conventional maceration and ultrasound-assisted extractions. The chemical characterization was achieved by the means of Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The biological evaluation was performed by in vitro, direct enzymatic, fluorescence and cell-based assays.

The chromatographic analysis indicated a high presence of bioactive compounds, which confer high ability in ROS scavenging, NO production inhibition and impacting breast cancer cells viability. In addition, all the extracts targeted some enzymes involved in neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, as MAO-A and B, AChE and BChE. Moreover, the extracts were found safe and with a low hepatotoxic toxicity.

The present study demonstrated that the extracts from Salvia officinalis L. leaf, traditionally used for many puproses, possess various biological activities, regulating the oxidative stress and inflammation, reducing the growth of breast cancer cells and blocking some key enzymes involved in neurological diseases. The combined low toxicity and biological features reported in this work suggest a high potential of the studied extracts for the management of some pathological conditions and/or for the achievement of nutraceutical products.