{"id":69487,"date":"2025-12-30T11:30:54","date_gmt":"2025-12-30T11:30:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/?p=69487"},"modified":"2026-01-03T15:39:53","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T15:39:53","slug":"morphological-features-and-chemical-composition-of-volatile-compounds-of-cultivated-salvia-nemorosal-and-salvia-verbenaca-l","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/vol18no4\/morphological-features-and-chemical-composition-of-volatile-compounds-of-cultivated-salvia-nemorosal-and-salvia-verbenaca-l\/","title":{"rendered":"Morphological Features and Chemical Composition of Volatile Compounds of Cultivated Salvia nemorosaL. and Salvia verbenaca\u00a0L."},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

Medicinal and aromatic plants are among the most significant and abundant sources of bioactive secondary metabolites. Today, there is considerable interest in studying, discovering, and utilizing the biological effects of the valuable metabolites found in medicinal plants to address various health issues that affect modern society.1<\/sup>,<\/sup>2<\/sup> The recent study provided evidence that essential oils from several Southern Italian Lamiaceae species, including Origanum vulgar<\/em>e <\/em>and Salvia rosmarinus<\/em>, can work synergistically with antibiotics by influencing key processes involved in resistance mechanisms, such as biofilm formation.3<\/sup><\/p>\n

The genus Sage (Salvia<\/em> L.) includes more than 900 species, making it one of the largest in the Lamiaceae family.4<\/sup> These plants are aromatic, medicinal, and ornamental, and they are distributed worldwide, primarily in temperate and subtropical climates. Salvia<\/em> species are widely recognized for their various applications in traditional and modern medicine, as well as in the food and cosmetics industries.4-6<\/sup> Numerous studies have demonstrated the biological effects of Salvia <\/em>compounds, including their antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, anticancer and and wound healing properties.6,7 <\/sup>\u00a0These beneficial activities are primarily linked to the presence of valuable phenolic compounds and terpenoids in these plants.4<\/sup>,8<\/sup> Like other members of the Lamiaceae family, in addition to volatile terpenoids, non-volatile di- and triterpenoids are also accumulated in the above-ground organs of Salvia<\/em> species.4,<\/sup>9<\/sup>\u00a0 Several species of sage are included in the European Pharmacopeia.10<\/sup><\/p>\n

While various Salvia<\/em> species are cultivated in many European countries, some are still harvested from the wild.6<\/sup> However, the reports from the International Union for Conservation of Nature indicate that several thousand plant species are threatened with extinction due to intensive harvesting and habitat destruction.11<\/sup> Therefore, cultivating medicinal plants is essential to meet increasing demand in obtaining plant raw materials and conserve genetic diversity as well as improve the production of targeted bioactive compounds under controlled conditions, while minimizing the risk of contamination.5<\/sup> The emergence of new varieties and cultivars of some sage species increases \u00a0interest in studies of their chemical composition and potential biological properties.1<\/sup>2<\/sup><\/p>\n

Salvia officinalis<\/em>, commonly known as sage, is a popular medicinal plant belonging to the European Pharmacopeia.1<\/sup>0<\/sup> However, it contains toxic compounds called thujones, which limit its therapeutic applications.1<\/sup>0<\/sup>,<\/sup>13-15<\/sup> Recently, eight chemotypes of S<\/em>alvia<\/em> officinalis<\/em> essential oil have been identified across several European countries, and thujones were prevalent among the predominant compounds. Therefore, numerous phytochemical and pharmacological studies have been conducted on different Salvia<\/em> species. It is important to note that among the ten \u00a0Salvia<\/em> representatives examined by the researchers,1<\/sup>3<\/sup> such toxic compounds as (E)- and (Z)-thujones were found exclusively in the essential oil of Salvia officinalis.<\/em> The high levels of thujones found in the volatile compounds of Salvia officinalis<\/em> have raised concerns among scientists and medical professionals due to their toxic properties. As a result, there is considerable interest in exploring new promising species within the genus that have a lower concentration of the harmful components.<\/p>\n

Our attention was drawn to two species of sage – Salvia nemorosa<\/em> L. and Salvia verbenaca\u00a0<\/em>L., which are found both in the wild and gradually spreading in cultivation in Eurasia.1<\/sup>6-<\/sup>18<\/sup> In the wild, the native range of Salvia nemorosa<\/em> extends from Europe to Western Siberia and Afghanistan. It\u00a0 primarily grows in steppes, on steppe slopes, dry meadows, forest edges, and near roads. It prefers sunny conditions, and is not demanding in terms of soil, and is drought-resistant, making it easy to cultivate. The native range of Salvia verbenaca\u00a0<\/em>is Macaronesia, Western Europe, to the Mediterranean and Caucasus. It primarily grows in a temperate biome.19<\/sup> \u00a0This species is naturalized in southern Africa, North America, and Australia. It inhabits dry grasslands, rocky shores, and dunes.<\/p>\n

Salvia verbenaca<\/em> is a Mediterranean plant that is widely used in folk medicine as a cholagogue, antiseptic, diuretic, and astringent.20<\/sup> The ethnobotanical uses of Salvia verbenaca<\/em> highlight its extensive applications in folk medicine throughout the Mediterranean region.6,19<\/sup> \u00a0This herb is traditionally employed to treat various digestive disorders, including abdominal colics, as well as respiratory issues and genitourinary and skin diseases. Additionally, dried leaves of Salvia verbenaca<\/em> are utilized for treating wounds and abscesses. Salvia nemorosa<\/em> also has a rich history in ethnomedical use.16,21 <\/sup>It is commonly used as an antiseptic for wounds, a diuretic, and a stomach tonic. Additionally, it can help treat ailments such as diarrhea, flatulence, fever, and coughs. The leaves of this plant are often used in infusions to treat diarrhea in children and furuncles. The study of secondary metabolites, particularly essential oils, aids taxonomists and phytochemists in resolving specific taxonomical issues.21,22<\/sup><\/p>\n

This study aimed to analyze the peculiarities of \u00a0botanical characteristics and compositions of volatile compounds of Salvia nemorosa<\/em> and Salvia verbenaca<\/em> under their cultivation in Ukraine.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Materials and Methods<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Plant raw material<\/strong><\/p>\n

The plants were cultivated in the experimental plots located in the Ternopil region of Ukraine. Voucher specimens of the plants are deposited at the herbarium of the Department of Pharmacognosy and Medical Botany, I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University in Ternopil, Ukraine.<\/p>\n

The leaves were collected during the flowering period in June of 2025 and were left to dry in the shade at temperatures not exceeding 35\u00b0C.<\/p>\n

Botanical description<\/strong><\/p>\n

The morphological peculiarities were studied using plants in the flowering period (Salvia verbenaca <\/em>and cultivar \u2018Ostfriesland\u2019 of Salvia nemorosa<\/em>). A three-fold magnifying glass was used to analyze some small parts of the plants.<\/p>\n

G<\/strong>as chromatography<\/strong>-mass spectrometry analysis (<\/strong>GC\/MS)<\/strong><\/p>\n

We analyzed the composition and quantitative content of volatile compounds in the leaves of the studied plants using GC\/MS.23<\/sup> \u00a0An Agilent Technologies 6890 gas chromatograph, equipped with an HP-5ms capillary column and a mass spectrometric detector, was employed for this analysis. Tridecan served as the internal standard.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Results<\/strong><\/p>\n

As is known, a detailed description of morphological features contributes to the reliable identification of plant species. This is especially important due to the rise of numerous cultivars and chemotypes of well-known species in recent decades. The results of the observation of the morphological features of the studied representatives of the Salvia <\/em>genus are presented below.<\/p>\n

Salvia verbenaca<\/em> is a subshrub up to 80 cm tall. Stems are erect, pubescent, tetrahedral, with their lower part woody. The top of the stem is strongly branched and forms inflorescences. Leaves are lanceolate-ovate, on petioles up to 10 cm long. They are slightly wrinkled; the edge of the leaf is pinnately incised-lobed and toothed. Lower leaves are on long petioles, located in a basal rosette; the upper leaves are on shorter petioles or sessile. Inflorescences are strongly branched, up to 35 cm long; semi-rings of flowers form intermittent, almost leafless spikelets. A corolla is 9-15 mm long, two-lipped\u00a0 (with very uneven lips), light blue. Calyces are 6-9 mm long, glandular-pubescent, two-lipped. The flowering period is long (from June to August). Fruits are small coenobia (four-seeded nuts). Each nut is ovoid-oblong, trihedral, smooth, and brown in color.<\/p>\n

Salvia nemorosa<\/em> (cultivar \u2018Ostfriesland\u2019) is a perennial herbaceous plant 40-60 cm tall. Leaves are bluish-green, oblong-lanceolate, on short petioles or sessile in the upper part of the stem, slightly wrinkled and toothed along the edge. Leaves are located on the lower part of tetrahedral, straight, pubescent, slightly branched stems; they are 5\u201311 cm long (the upper leaves are smaller than the lower ones). Inflorescences are vertical, elongated spike-shaped with 4\u20136-flowered semi-rings; they are slightly branched, straight at the apex, up to 20 cm long. A corolla is two-lipped, 9\u201314 mm long, and pink-purple in this cultivar. A calyx is broadly bell-shaped, 5\u201310 mm long; the upper lip of the calyx is tridentate and strongly curved outward during fruiting. The flowering period is long, from June to September. Fruits are small, dark brown, smooth nuts of ovoid-triangular shape. They are a coenobia with 4 chambers, each of which contains one nutlet.<\/p>\n

Based on our observations over 3 years, it was concluded that both studied species complete all the stages of growth and development in the Ternopil region (geographic coordinates: 49\u00b038\u20323\u2033 N, 25\u00b028\u203232\u2033 E), under temperate climate conditions. They bear fruits and produce fertile seeds. Therefore, we can conclude that the Ternopil region is suitable for further cultivation and obtaining resources of raw materials in controlled conditions.<\/p>\n

Over 30 chemicals were identified among the volatile compounds using the GC\/MS analysis. Table 1 lists the principal components, each accounting for more than 0.5% of the total content and collectively representing approximately 90% of the studied essential oils. Figures 1 and 2 provide an example of the GC\/MS chromatogram.<\/p>\n

Table 1:\u00a0Principal volatile components of the studied Salvia <\/em>species<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Compound<\/strong><\/td>\nTime, min<\/strong><\/td>\nContent, %<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Salvia<\/em> verbenaca<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nSalvia<\/em> nemorosa<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u03b1-Thujene<\/td>\n6.76<\/td>\n1.23<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u03b1-Pinene<\/td>\n6.95<\/td>\n11.45<\/td>\n1.58<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Camphene<\/td>\n7.39<\/td>\n5.64<\/td>\n0.43<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00df-Pinene<\/td>\n8.17<\/td>\n4.09<\/td>\n0.72<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00df-Myrcene<\/td>\n8.60<\/td>\n1.64<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(+)-3-Carene<\/td>\n9.15<\/td>\n5.50<\/td>\n0.94<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(+)-4-Carene<\/td>\n9.33<\/td>\n1.93<\/td>\n0.30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
p<\/em>-Cymene<\/td>\n9.52<\/td>\n11.02<\/td>\n9.14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D-Limonene<\/td>\n9.64<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n0.91<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Eucalyptol \u00a0(1,8-Cineol)<\/td>\n9.78<\/td>\n12.36<\/td>\n2.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00df-Ocimene<\/td>\n9.91<\/td>\n0.67<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Benzeneacetaldehyde<\/td>\n10.04<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n2.19<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0263-Terpinene<\/td>\n10.48<\/td>\n4.89<\/td>\n1.23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 trans-Sabinenehydrate<\/td>\n11.03<\/td>\n0.51<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u03b1-Terpinolene<\/td>\n11.24<\/td>\n0.84<\/td>\n0.22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Camphor<\/td>\n12.70<\/td>\n12.44<\/td>\n2.84<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Borneol<\/td>\n12.87<\/td>\n2.97<\/td>\n3.15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Terpinen-4-ol<\/td>\n13.42<\/td>\n0.56<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3-Methyldodecane<\/td>\n15.40<\/td>\n0.02<\/td>\n0.76<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bornyl acetate<\/td>\n15.79<\/td>\n3.10<\/td>\n1.02<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Thymol<\/td>\n15.89<\/td>\n0.12<\/td>\n0.51<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tridecane<\/td>\n16.02<\/td>\nInner standard<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u03b2-Caryophyllene<\/td>\n16.58<\/td>\n4.50<\/td>\n34.98<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u03b1-Terpinene<\/td>\n17.06<\/td>\n1.49<\/td>\n0.94<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Humulene<\/td>\n19.14<\/td>\n3.56<\/td>\n1.73<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0421aryophyllene oxide<\/td>\n19.79<\/td>\n0.12<\/td>\n18.92<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Humulene<\/td>\n20.59<\/td>\n0.90<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Selina-3,7(11)-diene<\/td>\n20.71<\/td>\n1.03<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Viridiflorene<\/td>\n21.59<\/td>\n1.96<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Germacrene D<\/td>\n22.65<\/td>\n0.23<\/td>\n7.16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00df-Elemene<\/td>\n25.12<\/td>\n0.11<\/td>\n2.95<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\nFigure 1: GC\/MS chromatogram of the Salvia<\/em> verbenaca<\/em> essential oil<\/strong><\/p>\n

Click here to view Figure<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\nFigure 2: GC\/MS chromatogram of the Salvia<\/em> nemorosa<\/em> essential oil<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Click here to view Figure<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Our findings demonstrate that the abundance of the major compounds in Salvia verbenaca<\/em> decreases in the following order: camphor (12.44%) > eucalyptol (12.36%), \u03b1-pinene (11.45%) > p<\/em>-cymene (11.02 %) > camphene\u00a0 (5.64%) > (+)-3-carene (5.50%). The abundance of the major compounds in Salvia nemorosa<\/em> decreases in a specified order: \u03b2-caryophyllene (34.98%) > \u0441aryophyllene oxide (18.92%) >\u00a0 p<\/em>-cymene (9.14%) > germacrene D (7.16%). Generally, among the predominant volatile compounds of Salvia verbenaca<\/em>, monoterpenoids dominated, while sesquiterpenoids prevailed in Salvia nemorosa<\/em>. The combination of both major and minor volatile compounds influences the distinct differences observed in the GC\/MS chromatographic profiles of the volatiles extracted from the leaves of the studied species.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Discussion<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is worth noting that Salvia verbenaca<\/em> can accumulate a diversity of bioactive volatile constituents that depend on chemotaxonomic peculiarities, locations of growing,\u00a0 phenophase of the \u00a0development, etc. The study conducted by Ben Farhat et al.24<\/sup> examined how collection sites and phenophases affected the yield and chemical composition of essential oils from aerial parts of Salvia verbenaca<\/em> in ten regions of Tunisia. The yield ranged from 0.08 to 0.13% based on dry weight. The major volatile compounds identified in the essential oils included viridiflorol (3.4\u201317.7%), \u03b1-pinene (0.7\u201315.9%), 1,8-cineol (2.0\u201312.8%)), \u03b2-caryophyllene (1.0\u201315.3%), epi-13-manool (2.4\u201310.5%) and p<\/em>-cymene (1.8\u201314.2%), \u0263-terpinene (0.4\u20135.1%) and camphor (1.6\u20134.7%). The researchers concluded that monoterpene hydrocarbons were predominant during the flowering stage, while oxygenated sesquiterpenes were more prevalent in the early fruiting stage.24<\/sup> The major volatile compounds of essential oils obtained from Salvia verbenaca<\/em> ssp. pseudo-jaminiana<\/em> aerial parts collected in the Southwest of Algeria using GC\/MS were such terpenoids as 1,10-di-epi-cubenol (20.9%),\u00a0 germacrene D (20.5%), \u03b1-copaene (10.4%), and\u00a0 epi-\u03b1-cadinol (11.6%).25<\/sup><\/p>\n

Among the main constituents of the Salvia verbenaca ssp. clandestina<\/em> collected in Algeria were \u03b2<\/em>-pinene (10.2%), spathulenol (8.7%) and caryophylene oxide (6.1%).26<\/sup> \u00a0Generally, it was found that there was a \u00a0prevalence of sesquiterpenes. In the study conducted by Mannu et al.,27<\/sup> flowers and leaves of Salvia verbenaca<\/em> were collected from six different geographical areas in Sardinia, Italy. The results of the GS\/MS analysis of their essential oils indicated that the chemical composition of the essential oils depended on the site of growing \u00a0and altitude. In relation to the geographical distribution of the identified chemicals, sesquiterpenes were found in substantial amounts in three locations, while monoterpenes and hydrocarbons were present in the essential oils from two areas. Additionally, other subgroups of the compounds were predominant only in one site. \u0421aryophyllene oxide (16.15%), spathulenol (13.18%), 1,8-cineol (11.45%), bicyclogermacrene (11.03%), and borneol (11.00%) dominated in Salvia verbenaca <\/em>essential oil collected in Turkey.28<\/sup><\/p>\n

Bidabadi et al.29<\/sup> conducted a study to investigate the effects of foliar-applied melatonin (50-200 \u03bcM) on two Salvia<\/em> representatives cultivated in Iran: Salvia nemorosa<\/em> and Salvia reuterana<\/em>, particularly under conditions of water stress. The researchers found that the highest essential oil yield, 0.58%, was achieved when 200 \u03bcM of melatonin was applied to Salvia nemorosa<\/em> grown under mild water stress conditions (60% of the field capacity). The authors found the following correlations between\u00a0 the yield of the essential oils and water deficit. The yield of both Salvia<\/em> species increased with the decrease in irrigation from 80% to 60% of the field capacity but decresed \u00a0when there was \u00a0more severe water deficit (40% of the field capacity). The main components of the essential oil extracted from Salvia nemorosa<\/em> were identified as \u03b2<\/em>-caryophyllene (37.53\u201340.13%), germacrene B (19.83\u201321.37%), spathulenol (6.37\u20138.72%), and cis-\u03b2<\/em>-farnesene (5.29\u20137.83%).<\/p>\n

The volatiles present in the aerial parts of Salvia nemorosa<\/em> were analyzed by GC\/MS in the plants growing in the different locations on the outskirts of Vienna, Austria.30<\/sup> The essential oils extracted from the flowers predominantly contained \u00a0sabinene (37-44%), germacrene D (9-14%), beta<\/em>-caryophyllene (8-12%), and caryophyllene oxide (2.6-4.4%). In the leaves, the main compounds were \u03b2<\/em>-caryophyllene (14-41%), germacrene D (14-38%), and caryophyllene oxide (5-20%). The essential oils from the stems were characterized by a high percentage of hexadecanoic acid, along with germacrene D and beta-caryophyllene.<\/p>\n

The essential oil from the leaves of Salvia nemorosa,<\/em> collected in Iran, was characterized by a predominance of sesquiterpenoids, including caryophyllene (26.37%), germacrene-D (15.34%), and sabinene (12.86%).31<\/sup> The recent study demonstrated that the essential oil of Salvia nemorosa<\/em> cv. \u2018May Night,\u2019 cultivated in Idaho (USA) in 2023, primarily consisted of (E)-\u03b2-caryophyllene (22.4%), sabinene (18.4%), and germacrene D (17.1%).32<\/sup> The deep analysis of the various S<\/em>alvia <\/em>nemorosa<\/em> essential oils revealed significant differences in their compositions, identifying several chemotypes namely a sabinene-rich, a spathulenol\/caryophyllene oxide, and a (E)-\u03b2-caryophyllene-rich one.<\/p>\n

The various Salvia <\/em>species cultivated in Ukraine were characterized by the presence of bicyclic monoterpenoids such as \u03b1-<\/em> and \u03b2<\/em>-pinene as well as camphane derivatives (camphene, camphor, borneol, etc.).13,14<\/sup> Regarding Salvia nemorosa<\/em>, p<\/em>-cymene (42.10%) prevailed. However, the authors did not investigate such species as Salvia verbenaca.<\/em>13 <\/sup>The primary components of Salvia nemorosa<\/em> from Iran included oxygenated sesquiterpenes, with caryophyllene oxide being the most abundant compound found in all essential oils from both the leaves and flowers during the flowering stage, across various regions of Iran.32<\/sup> This study concluded that several factors, such as harvest times, growth stages of the plants, environmental conditions, primary habitats, and climate variations, can all influence the concentration and composition of volatile compounds in the examined plant materials. The essential oil from the aerial part of Salvia memorosa<\/em> collected in South-Eastern Serbia, predominantly contained bicyclic monoterpene sabinene (75.8%).15<\/sup><\/p>\n

The volatiles of some examples of wild growing S<\/em>alvia<\/em> verbenaca<\/em> of Tunisian origin were analyzed by Taarit et al. at the full fruiting stage.33<\/sup> The \u00a0composition of the essential oils was quite different and depended on the place of growing. The principal components from the first locality were viridiflorol (21.8%), camphene (17.6%), methyl eugenol (9.4%), \u00df-caryophyllene (7.1%), and \u03b1-terpineol (5.3%) while among the components of the essential oil collected from the second locality were tricyclene (18.8%), nonane (10.3%), methyl eugenol (7.7%) and terpinolene (7.3%), bornyl acetate (4.9%). In the samples collected from the third locality, among the components were (Z)-\u00df-ocimene (29.5%), \u00df-phellandrene (8.2%), \u00df-thujone (7.9%) and \u03b1-pinene (5.5%).33<\/sup><\/p>\n

Taarit et al.34<\/sup> amalysed the samples of S<\/em>alvia<\/em> verbenaca<\/em> grown in North Tunisia by GC\/MS analysis. There were 69 components identified in the essential oils. Among the components of the fruit essential oil were 23.1% of \u03b2-caryophyllene, 15.9% of caryophyllene oxide, 6.5% of camphene, 5.6% of \u03b1-humulene and 4.3% of viridiflorol. Among the major components of the stem essential oil were camphor 10.9%, viridiflorol 10.3%, terpinolene (6.6%), methyl eugenol (6.1%) and \u03b1-pinene 5.9% while the leaf oil contained the labdane type diterpenes (24.7%): \u00a013.7% of epi<\/em>-13-manool and 11.0% of manool.<\/p>\n

The volatile fraction of fresh aerial parts of S<\/em>alvia<\/em> verbenaca<\/em> from Sicily was analyzed by GC\/MS. It \u00a0contained a significant proportion of fatty acids and esters (39.5%) and carbonyl compounds (21.2%).35<\/sup> Among the main components were identified hexadecanoic acid (23.1%) and (Z)-9-octadecenoic acid (11.1%). Among volatile compounds, viridiflorol, \u03b1-pinene, \u03b2-caryophyllene and p-cymene prevailed. The in vitro<\/em> activity of the essential oil was tested against various pathogenic microorganisms and compared to that of chloramphenicol using the broth dilution method. The results showed that the essential oil demonstrated good inhibitory activity against the growth of Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus<\/em>, Staphylococcus epidermidis<\/em> and Streptococcus faecalis<\/em>).<\/p>\n

The essential oils of both sage species, which we studied, contain various components that offer therapeutic effects. Among these is \u03b2-caryophyllene, \u00a0the major volatile compound found in the leaves of Salvia nemorosa<\/em>. This bicyclic sesquiterpene has been the subject of recent research that highlights its protective effects on animal cells, suggesting its potential as a new therapeutic tool.36<\/sup> The experimental findings indicate that \u03b2-caryophyllene may help reduce symptoms of chronic conditions. Both \u03b2-caryophyllene and \u03b2-caryophyllene oxide demonstrate significant anticancer properties, affecting the growth of various cancer cells.37<\/sup> These compounds can enhance the effectiveness of traditional anticancer drugs by increasing their concentrations within the cells. Additionally, since chronic pain is often associated with cancer, the dual action of these compounds \u2014 both anticancer and analgesic \u2014 along with their positive impact on the effectiveness of standard chemotherapy, is especially valuable in oncology. Furthermore, the aromatic monoterpene p<\/em>-cymene exhibits a range of pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antitumor, and antiparasitic activities.38<\/sup><\/p>\n

Camphor has shown antifungal activities without being toxic to porcine liver cells, making it a promising candidate for developing future anti-candidal treatments.39<\/sup> \u00a0The \u00a0recent research indicates that the essential oils from Pistacia lentiscus<\/em>, along with its primary compounds limonene and \u03b1-pinene, show promise for developing new strategies to enhance skin protection and treat ailments related to diabetes mellitus and oxidative stress.40<\/sup> \u00a0Camphene has been found to lower plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels in hyperlipidemic rats. 41 <\/sup><\/p>\n

Eucalyptol, also known as 1,8-cineole, has a long history of use in traditional medicine and displays a broad range of biological effects, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, \u00a0analgesic, bronchodilatory, and pro-apoptotic properties.42<\/sup> Recent studies suggest that eucalyptol may help manage conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, neuropathic pain, and cancer. Its health benefits have been confirmed in clinical trials involving patients with respiratory disorders, including bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and rhinosinusitis.43 \u00a0<\/sup>It is effective in treating infections caused by antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.44<\/sup> \u00a0<\/sup><\/p>\n

The wound healing properties of volatiles from various sage species have recently been comprehensively revealed.45,46 <\/sup>Many monoterpenoids, including 1,8-cineole, carvacrol, and linalool, exhibit the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity.47,48<\/sup> In summarizing the data on the potential biological activity of the volatile components found in the leaves of the two Salvia<\/em> species we studied, we can predict that they possess antiseptic, analgesic, astringent, and anti-inflammatory properties. These findings may serve as a guideline for future pharmacological studies.<\/p>\n

Some researchers have noted significant morphological and chemical variability among certain species of the Lamiidae subclass; moreover, there were identified correlations between the plants’ morphological characteristics and the accumulation of biologically active components within them.49,50<\/sup> \u00a0These findings highlight a promising direction for further investigations of the species under study.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n

This study analyzed the chemotaxonomic peculiarities of Salvia nemorosa<\/em> (cultivar \u2018Ostfriesland\u2019) and Salvia verbenaca<\/em> cultivated in Ukraine, based on their morphological features and chromatographic profiles of volatile compounds. Both species complete all stages of growth and development in the Ternopil region of Ukraine, making them suitable for further cultivation and harvesting of sufficient amounts of plant raw materials in controlled conditions. The conducted GC\/MS analysis indicated that the major volatile components in the Salvia nemorosa<\/em> leaves were \u03b2-caryophyllene, \u0441aryophyllene oxide, p-cymene and germacrene D. \u00a0In the Salvia verbenaca <\/em>essential oil prevailed camphor, eucalyptol, \u03b1-pinene, p-cymene, camphene and (+)-3-carene. The findings of this study emphasize the distinctive chemotaxonomic characteristics of the species examined, as well as their significant potential for further pharmacological research. The phytochemicals revealed in the leaves of the studied species may serve as a valuable source of bioactive molecules for the pharmaceutical industry.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Acknowledgment<\/strong><\/p>\n

The authors would like to express gratitude to the authority of \u00a0I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University for their support of the research.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Funding Sources<\/strong><\/p>\n

The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and\/or publication of this article.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Conflict of Interest<\/strong><\/p>\n

The author(s) declare no conflict of interest.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Data Availability<\/strong><\/p>\n

This statement does not apply to this article.<\/p>\n

Ethics Statement<\/strong><\/p>\n

This research did not involve animal subjects, human participants, or any material that requires ethical approval.<\/p>\n

Informed Consent Statement<\/strong><\/p>\n

This study did not involve human participants, and therefore, informed consent was not required.<\/p>\n

Clinical Trial Registration<\/strong><\/p>\n

This research does not involve any clinical trials.<\/p>\n

Permission to reproduce material from other sources<\/strong><\/p>\n

Not Applicable\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Author Contributions<\/strong><\/p>\n