Chemical Composition of the Essential Oils Of Salvia Spp. Leaves

The chemical composition of the hydrodistilled essential oils of four Salvia spp. were analysed by GCMS. Three of them (Salvia aramiensis Rech. fil., Salvia fruticosa Mill., Salvia tomentosa Mill.) analyzed in this study grow naturally in the Hatay flora. On the other hand, S. aramiensis is an endemic plant in Hatay flora. Fourth species (Salvia officinalis L.) is not growing in the flora of Turkey, but is only cultivated. The highest essential oil content (5.31%) was found in S. aramiensis and the least 1.68% was detected in S. officinalis. Eucalyptol was the main constituent for S. aramiensis, S. fruticosa and S. tomentosa. While this component was 58.65% in S. aramiensis, it was determined as 44.70 and 34.97% in S. tomentosa and S. fruticosa, respectively. In S. officinalis, the main constituent was determined as δ-Thujone (33.83%) and camphor (21.46%). Eucalyptol has been identified as the main composition in sage species which is grown in flora. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(4): 1173-1180, 2021 (December)

Hybrids Development between Greek Salvia Species and Their Drought Resistance Evaluation along with Salvia fruticosa, under Attapulgite-Amended Substrate

Aiming to obtain Salvia hybrids with ornamental value and high drought resistance, for xeriscaping, crossbreeding was made with Greek Salvia species. S. fruticosa and S. officinalis when used as seed parent were successfully crossed with S. pomifera ssp. pomifera, S. ringens and S. tomentosa, while when used as pollen parent it only succeeded between S. fruticosa and S. tomentosa. The growth of S. fruticosa and the four hybrids, S. officinalis × S. pomifera, S. officinalis × S. tomentosa, S. officinalis × S. ringens and S. fruticosa × S. ringens, selected for their ornamental traits, was evaluated under limited irrigation and modification of the substrate with attapulgite clay. The hybrids S. officinalis × S. ringens and S. officinalis × S. tomentosa developed a compact plant shape and most lateral shoots, desirable characteristics for potted plants and xeriscaping. All hybrids, especially S. officinalis × S. pomifera and S. officinalis × S. tomentosa, survived water stress better than S. fruticosa. Modification of the substrate with attapulgite, under limited irrigation, caused a decrease in the above ground/root biomass ratio in some hybrids and in S. fruticosa increased the dry weight of the root indicating increased drought resistance.

Chemical and Biological Characterization of the Anticancer Potency of Salvia fruticosa in a Model of Human Malignant Melanoma

Malignant melanoma is one of the most aggressive types of skin cancer with an increasing incidence worldwide. Thus, the development of innovative therapeutic approaches is of great importance. Salvia fruticosa (SF) is known for its anticancer properties and in this context, we aimed to investigate its potential anti-melanoma activity in an in vitro model of human malignant melanoma. Cytotoxicity was assessed through a colorimetric-based sulforhodamine-B (SRB) assay in primary malignant melanoma (A375), non-malignant melanoma epidermoid carcinoma (A431) and non-tumorigenic melanocyte neighbouring keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. Among eight (8) different fractions of S. fruticosa extracts (SF1-SF8) tested, SF3 was found to possess significant cytotoxic activity against A375 cells, while A431 and HaCaT cells remained relatively resistant or exerted no cytotoxicity, respectively. In addition, the total phenolic (Folin–Ciocalteu assay) and total flavonoid content of SF extracts was estimated, whereas the antioxidant capacity was measured via the inhibition of tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation levels. Finally, apoptotic cell death was assessed by utilizing a commercially available kit for the activation of caspases - 3, - 8 and - 9. In conclusion, the anti-melanoma properties of SF3 involve the induction of both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathway(s), as evidenced by the increased activity levels of caspases - 8, and - 9, respectively.

Antischistosomal Activity of Origanum majorana, Ziziphus spina-christi, and Salvia fruticosa Plant Extracts on Hamster Infected with Schistosoma haematobium

World Health Organization (WHO) has approved only one treatment for schistosomiasis, praziquantel (PZQ), but some poor efficacy was noticed in patients during the early stage of infection. Therefore, researchers have intensified their efforts to research new alternative medicines to treat schistosomiasis. In the present study, in vitro as well as in vivo studies have been accomplished to evaluate the effect of Origanum majorana, Ziziphus spina-christi, and Salvia fruticosa extracts in a different concentration 500, 250, 125, 62.5, and 31.25 μg/ml on golden hamster infected by Egyptian strains of schistosome (Schistosoma haematobium). In vitro, the adult worms and schistosomula of S. haematobium were investigated in RPMI-1640 medium for 48 hrs. The results showed that the concentration 500, 250, and 125 μg/ml of Origanum majorana, and Ziziphus spina-christi caused dead of 100% of Egyptian Schistosoma strains of adult worm and schistosomula of S. haematobium within 6 to 12 hrs of incubation. On the other hand, the extract of Salvia fruticosa at concentrations 500, 250, and 125 μg/ml showed death 100% parasites after 12 to 24 hrs of incubation. Inclusion, Origanum majorana, and Ziziphus spina-christi showed effectiveness against Egyptian Schistosoma strains (S. haematobium), a slight decrease in Salvia fruticosa was observed. Therefore, these medical plant extracts may be used as a safe and effective treatment for schistosomiasis.

Ecological and Plant Community Implication on Essential Oils Composition in Useful Wild Officinal Species: A Pilot Case Study in Apulia (Italy)

The study focused on the effects of ecology (plant communities and topographical data) on composition of essential oils (EOs) of some officinal wild plant species (Lamiales): Clinopodium suaveolens, Salvia fruticosa subsp. thomasii, Satureja montana subsp. montana, and Thymbra capitata, in different environments of Apulia (Italy). C. suaveolens and S. fruticosa subsp. thomasii are rare species of conservation interest, while S. montana subsp. montana and T. capitata, have a wide distribution and are used in traditional medicine or as spices. Results showed that the ecological context (phytosociological and ecological features) may influence the composition of EOs of the studied species. High differences in the compound composition have been found in S. montana subsp. montana, whereas minor effects were observed in C. suaveolens, S. fruticosa subsp. thomasii, and T. capitata accessions. The understanding of such aspects is necessary for providing optimal conditions to produce EOs rich in compounds known for their biological activities. The results are of great interest also for EOs producers and at the same time to improve our knowledge and valorize wild officinal plants.

Investigation of Nitrate Content of Sage (Salvia fruticosa Mill) and Oregano (Origanum onites) Plants

In this study, the nitrate contents of sage (Salvia fruticosa Mill) and oregano (Origanum onites) plants and their soils growing naturally between Kekova and Kaş were investigated. The spectrometric method was used in nitrate analysis on leaf samples of plants collected from research areas. NO3-N contents were determined as mg kg-1 dry weight of dry matter. The leaves chlorophyll concentrations were measured with the Minolta SPAD 502 plus chlorophyll meter. DR 2800 (Hach-Lange, USA) Spectrophotometer was used for nitrate analysis in dry and moist soil samples. Nitrate contents of plant leaves were from 140.12 to 363.64 mg kg-1 values in sage leaf samples; It was determined that oregano leaf samples varied from 106.06 to 415.58 mg kg-1. Nitrate contents of soils ranged from 2.66 to 24.66 μg g-1 in soils where sage is grown; it ranged from 6.24 to 19.82 μg g-1 in the soils oregano is grown.