The characterization of phenolic compounds via LC-ESI-MS/MS, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory activities of Salvia absconditiflora, Salvia sclarea, and Salvia palaestina: A comparative analysis

Salvia L. genus, one of the medicinal and aromatic plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family, is represented by many endemic species in temperate regions worldwide. The Salvia species have plenty of usages in traditional medicine, important pharmacological effects and economic value. In this context, this study was conducted to evaluate the chemical profile and potential bioactivity of ethyl acetate extracts from 3 different Salvia species; Salvia absconditiflora (Salvia cryptantha- an endemic species), S. sclarea and S. palaestina collected from different localities in Anatolia. Total phenolic-flavonoid contents, antioxidant properties and enzyme inhibition experiments were investigated in tested Salvia species. The phenolic profiles were also determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The analysis revealed the presence of phenolic compounds in ethyl acetate extracts such as cynaroside, rosmarinic acid, cosmosiin, luteolin, apigenin and acacetin. The highest level of phenolic components was detected in S. absconditiflora with 74.16 mg GAE/g. The best radical scavenging and reducing abilities were found in S. absconditiflora (DPPH: 251.39 mg TE/g; ABTS: 340.16 mg TE/g; CUPRAC: 496.20 mg TE/g; FRAP: 322.94 mg TE/g). Moreover, the inhibition of AChE, BChE, and α-amylase has also been studied. The most potent AChE inhibitory ability was recorded in S. sclarea (4.00 mg GALAE/g), followed by S. palaestina (3.38 mg GALAE/g) and S. absconditiflora (3.01 mg GALAE/g). The extracts exhibited similar amylase inhibitory effects. These results reveal that Salvia species [S. absconditiflora (S. cryptantha), S. sclarea and S. palaestina] confirming their potential can be rich sources of promising bioactive compounds as a starting point for further analysis. In addition, it is thought that this study may be the new report for the construction of helpful databases in terms of shedding light on future research and researchers with the valuable information obtained about these economically important Salvia species.