Biological activities of some Salvia species

In this study, total phenolic, flavonoid and protein contents, antiradical capacities, antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of five different Salvia species (Salvia macrochlamys Boiss., Salvia kronenburgii Rech.f., Salvia euphratica Montbret. ex Aucher var. euphratica, Salvia huberi Hedge and Salvia kurdica Benth) were investigated. The total phenolic content of the species was in the range of 59.6 +/- 20 to 150.1 +/- 1.1 mg/g, total flavonoid content in the range of 20.4 +/- 2.2 to 38.9 +/- 4.1 mg/g, and total protein content in the range of 14.0 +/- 0.5 to 22.0 +/- 1.1 mg/g. Radical scavenging capacities of the Salvia species were determined in the range of 84.1 +/- 4.5 to 96.8 +/- 0.1%. Moreover, Salvia extracts showed powerful antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Cytotoxic effects of the samples on human lymphocytes were determined by MTS assay and S. kronenburgii and S. euphratica var. euphratica decreased the harmful effects of 2-hydroperoxy-2-methylpropane (tert-butyl hydroperoxide, t-BOOH) at all time points tested. The highest amounts of rutin hydrate belong to S. kronenburgii and S. euphratica var. euphratica, and the highest amounts of luteolin-7-glucoside belong to S. huberi and S. kronenburgii. Vanillic acid was present only in S. huberi and S. kurdica.