Salvia leriifolia Benth. (Lamiaceae) extract demonstrates in vitro antioxidant properties and cholinesterase inhibitory activity

The object of the present study was to investigate the in vitro antioxidant properties andcholinesterase inhibitory activity of Salvia leriifolia Benth extracts and fractions. The functional roleof herbs and spices and their constituents is a hot topic in food-related plant research. Salvia specieshave been used since ancient times in folk medicine for cognitive brain function and have beensubjected to extensive research. Thus, we hypothesize that S leriifolia, because of its functionalproperties, would be a good candidate to use as a nutraceutical product for improving memory in theelderly or patients affected by Alzheimer disease (ad). To test this hypothesis, we examined thecholinesterase inhibitory activity using the modified colorimetric Ellman's method againstacetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The n-hexane exhibited the highestactivity, with inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) values of 0.59 and 0.21 mg/mL, for AChE andBChE, respectively. This extract was fractionated, and 9 of these fractions (A-I) were obtained andtested. Fraction G, characterized by the presence of sesquiterpenes as major components, was themost active against AChE (IC50 = 0.05 mg/mL). Because oxidative stress is a critical event in thepathogenesis of AD, we decided to screen the antioxidant activity (AA) using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl test, β-carotene bleaching test, and bovine brain peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid)assay. The ethyl acetate extract showed the highest activity, with IC50 values of 2 and 33 μg/mL onβ-carotene bleaching test and thiobarbituric acid test, respectively. These results suggest potentialhealth benefits of S leriifolia extracts. However, this finding requires additional investigation in vivo.