Chemical composition and biological activities of the essential oils ofSalvia canariensis

Abstract

Comparative studies of the chemical composition of steam-distilled essential oils from cultivated Salvia canariensis, collected at different seasons of the year, were studied. The essential oils were analysed by gas chomatography–mass spectrometry: the major components were bornyl acetate (17.8–28.6%), β-caryophyllene (12.7–30.2%), α-pinene (4.6–9.5%) and viridiflorol (13.9–17.3%) in all samples. The essential oils were evaluated for antimicrobial and cytostatic activities and enzymatic inhibitions of xanthine oxidase, β-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase. Concerning the antimicrobial and cytotoxic tests, the oils showed interesting activities towards different Gram-positive bacteria (MIC 45–35 µg[sol ]ml), but had no effect against eukaryotic cells. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.