A Review of Botany, Phytochemistry, and Biological Activities of Eight Salvia Species Widespread in Kazakhstan

The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the botany, phytochemistry, and biological activities of eight Salvia species, namely Salvia aethiopis L., S. sclarea L., S. dumetorum Andrz. ex Besser, S. deserta Schang., S. trautvetteri Rgl., S. macrosiphon Boiss., S. virgata Jacq., and S. verticillata L., which are widespread in Kazakhstan. The genus Salvia is renowned for its diverse medicinal properties, and these species are no exception, contributing to the rich natural pharmacopoeia of the region. The botanical characteristics of these species, including their morphological features, distribution, and ecological adaptations, are discussed. The present review also explores the phytochemical composition of these plants, focusing on bioactive compounds such as terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic acids, which are responsible for their medicinal potential. Biological activities including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective effects are evaluated based on available in vitro and in vivo studies. In addition, the review highlights the traditional uses of these species in local medicine and suggests avenues for future research to further elucidate their pharmacological potential. This synthesis provides valuable insights into the medicinal importance of these Salvia species in Kazakhstan and supports their continued exploration for therapeutic applications.

Evaluation of HPLC Profile, Antioxidant, Quorum Sensing, Biofilm, Swarming Motility, and Enzyme Inhibition Activities of Conventional and Green Extracts of Salvia triloba

The current study aims to prepare a green extract using a new method in addition to conventional extraction methods including; methanolic and ultrasonic extraction of Salvia triloba, to compare their phenolic composition utilizing high-performance liquid chromatograph equipped with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD), anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, and enzyme inhibition activities. The results of HPLC-DAD analysis showed that Rosmarinic acid was found the highest amount in the methanolic extract followed by ultrasonic and green extracts as 169.7 ± 0.51, 135.1 ± 0.40, and 28.58 ± 0.46 μg/g respectively. The Trans-cinnamic acid (4.40 ± 0.09 μg/g) was found exclusively in ultrasonic extract. For bioactivities, the green extract exhibited the highest biofilm inhibition against Enterococcus faecalis compared to other extracts, while the methanolic extract outperformed both ultrasonic-assisted and green extract against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli strains at minimum inhibitory concentration. The methanolic and green extract exhibited considerable quorum sensing inhibition against Chromobacterium violaceum CV026, while no activity was recorded from ultrasonic-assisted extract. The methanolic and ultrasonic-assisted extracts of S. triloba recorded moderate butyrylcholinesterase inhibition; each extract demonstrated limited inhibitory effects on the urease enzyme. Similarly, each extract of S. triloba demonstrated significant antioxidant activity, with the highest activity exhibited by methanolic extract as β-carotene-linoleic acid assay (IC50 = 10.29 ± 0.36 μg/mL), DPPH• assay (IC50 = 27.77 ± 0.55 μg/mL), ABTS•+ assay (IC50 = 15.49 ± 0.95 μg/mL), metal chelating assay (IC50 = 57.80 ± 0.95 μg/mL), and CUPRAC (assay A 0.50 = 32.54 ± 0.84 μg/mL). Furthermore, the methanolic extract exhibited antioxidant activity better than α-tocopherol (Standard used). The current study demonstrated the potential of green solvent(s) as eco-friendly alternative for extractin phenolic compounds from S. triloba and evaluated their biological activities for the first time.

Comparative assessment of phenolic composition profile and biological activities of green extract and conventional extracts of Salvia sclarea

In recent years, there have been an attempt to develop safe and environmental friendly solvents to replace conventional solvents, and use for extraction bioactive compounds from natural sources. A current investigation involved the preparation of green, methanolic, and ultrasonic extracts of S. sclarea, and compared their phenolic profiling using HPLC-DAD, antibacterial, antioxidant, and enzyme inhibition activities. The HPLC-DAD analysis revealed that Rosmarinic acid was the main content in all extracts, with Ellagic acid only present in the green extract. The green extract exhibited superior anti-biofilm activity against S. Aureus and E. Faecalis compared to the other extracts at MIC concentration. Furthermore, the green extract also displayed the highest inhibition of swarming motility in P. Aeruginosa with inhibition range 68.0 ± 2.1 (MIC) to 19.5 ± 0.6 (MIC/4). and better enzyme inhibitory activity against BChE (with IC50 = 131.6 ± 0.98 µg/mL) and AChE (with inhibition 47.00 ± 1.50%) compared to the other extracts; while, the ultrasonic extract showed strong inhibition of violacein production by C. Violaceum with a inhibition range 05.5 ± 0.1 (MIC/32) to 100 ± 0.00 (MIC), followed by the green extract with a inhibition range 15.0 ± 0.5 (MIC/8) to 100 ± 0.00 (MIC), additionally, the ultrasonic and methanoic extracts showed significant activity against urease enzyme with (IC50 = 171.6 ± 0.95 µg/mL and IC5 0 = 187.5 ± 1.32 µg/mL) respectively. Both the green and methanolic extracts showed considerable antioxidant activities, as β-carotene-linoleic acid (IC50 = 5.61 ± 0.47 µg/mL and 5.37 ± 0.27 µg/mL), DPPH· (IC50 = 19.20 ± 0.70 µg/mL and 16.31 ± 0.23 µg/mL), ABTS·+(IC50 = 8.64 ± 0.63 µg/mL and 6.50 ± 0.45 µg/mL) and CUPRAC (A0.5 = 17.22 ± 0.36 µg/mL and 12.28 ± 0.12 µg/mL) respectively, likewise the green extract performing better in metal chelating compared to the other extracts. The green extraction is reported as a cost effective and solvent free method for extracting natural products that produces compounds free of toxic chemicals. This could be the method to be used in the industries as a renewable method.

Desert Endemic Plants in Algeria: A Review on Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Polyphenolic Compounds and Pharmacological Activities

Due to their robust antioxidant capabilities, potential health benefits, wide variety of biological activities, and strong antioxidant qualities, phenolic compounds are substances that have drawn considerable attention in recent years. The main goal of the review is to draw attention to saharian Algerian medicinal plants and the determination of their bioactivity (antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory importance), and to present their chemical composition as well as in vivo and in vitro studies, clinical studies, and other studies confirming their real impact on human health. Research results have revealed a rich variety of medicinal plants used to treat various disease states in this region. Based on in vivo and in vitro studies, biological activity, and clinical studies, a list of 34 species of desert plants, belonging to 20 botanical families, useful both in preventive actions and in the treatment of neoplastic diseases has been established, and polyphenolic compounds have been identified as key to the health potential of endemic diseases and desert plants. It has been shown that people who follow a diet rich in polyphenols are less prone to the risk of many cancers and chronic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes. In view of the increasing antioxidant potential of these plant species, as well as the increasing trade in herbal products from the Sahara region, phytosanitary and pharmaceutical regulations must change in this respect and should be in line with Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), and the sustainable use and development of plant products must be addressed at the same time.

Evaluation of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potency of Lepidium pinnatifidum Ledeb

Backgroound

Lepidium pinnatifidum is a multipurpose, beneficial plant and known well for its indigenous therapeutic standards. Current study is aimed to investigate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potency of Lepidium pinnatifidum.

L. pinnatifidum dried powder was extracted with crude methanol (LPM) and then fractionated with various solvents to get respective fractions, termed as, n-hexane (LPH), chloroform (LPC), ethyl acetate (LPE), butanol (LPB) and the aqueous fraction (LPA). Fractions were evaluated for total flavonoid and phenolic content. Antioxidant profile was quantified via an array of antioxidant assays. Anti inflammatory activity was evaluated in vitro, and further assessed by in vivo study in Sprague Dawley rat.

Result

Total phenolics (TPC) range from 48.15 ± 1.03–241.23 ± 1.07 mg GAE/g while total flavonoids (TFC) quantified were 16.32 ± 1.14–136.32 ± 1.14 mg RE/g. The in vitro antioxidant assays exhibited remarkable radicals scavenging action in different assays. Substantial positive correlation was instituted between TPC, TFC and various antioxidant assays. Inhibition of the heat induced protein denaturation reflected anti inflammatory potency, further supported by in vivo carrageenan induced paw edema.

Conclusion

The obtained results lead to suggesting the therapeutic perspective of L. pinnatifidum in oxidative stress and inflammation associated ailments. The bio active ingredients behind its potential protectivity needs to be further confirmed.

Constancy of the bioactivities of propolis samples collected on the same apiary over four years

Natural products, like propolis, have been subject of interest by several industries mainly due to their biological activities. However, besides being produced in low amounts propolis has a great variability in terms of chemical composition and bioactivities' profiles, constituting a problem for the development of propolis-based products and for its acceptance by the medical community. The aim of this work relates to the study of the bioactivities, in particular the antioxidant and the antimicrobial properties, as well as the chemical characterization of Portuguese propolis samples collected in an apiary sited at Gerês (G) along four consecutive years. Ethanol extracts of the four propolis samples (G.EEs) display antimicrobial activity, especially against Gram-positive spore forming bacteria. Antioxidant activity, evaluated by three different in vitro assays, was confirmed in vivo by flow cytometry using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as eukaryotic cell model. Cells incubated with G.EEs prior to H₂O₂ incubation, or incubated with G.EEs and H₂O₂ simultaneously, display higher viability than cells incubated only with H₂O₂, suggesting that G.EEs protect yeast cells against induced oxidative stress. All tested propolis samples exhibit very similar antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Chemical analysis of G.EEs revealed no significant differences in terms of phenolic profiles, namely in the compounds to which propolis bioactivities are ascribed, thus supporting the more constant behavior evidenced by these propolis samples. This work highlights the valuable properties of this bee product and reveals a constancy of bioactivities in a Portuguese propolis sample over four years, raising awareness to the potentialities of this natural product often regarded as a beekeeping waste.