Volatile constituents of three Salvia species: S. sclareopsis, S. brachysiphon and S. verbascifolia growing wild in Iran

Salvia the largest genus of family Lamiaceae, includes about 900 species widespread all over the world. Fifty-eight species of the genus are found in Iran, seventeen of which are endemic [1]. The most well known of this genus Salvia officinalis has been credited with a long list of medicinal uses. They have been used as a carminative; a spasmolytic; an antiseptic/bactericide; an astringent; a gargle in mouthwash against inflammation of the mouth, tongue and throat. The genus Salvia, including some Iranian species, has been studied chemically and the presence of terpenoids, even the rare sesterterpenes, essential oils and flavonoids has been reported [2]. The composition of the essential oils from three Salvia species S. sclareopsis Bornm. Ex Hedge., S. brachysiphon Stapt., which are endemic to Iran and S. verbascifolia M. Bief., obtained by hydrodistillation were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The oils of S. sclareopsis and S. verbascifolia were rich in β-caryophyllene (22.5% and 18.5%) and germacrene D (15.5% and 34.1%), respectively. In the oil of S. brachysiphon, also β-caryophyllene (28.1%), α-pinene (20.6%) and limonene (11.5%) were found to be the major constituents.

Acknowledgement: we are grateful to Dr. Z. Jamzad (Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, Iran), for her helpful assistance in botanical identification.

References: 1. Hedge I.C. (1982) Flora Iranica. Akademische Druk and Verlagsantalt. Graz, Austria.

2. Rustaiyan, A. et al. (2007) Nat Prod Commun 2: 1031–1042.