Screening for antioxidant properties of Salvia reflexa hornem.

The antioxidant properties of the wild growing sage species, Salvia reflexa Hornem., were investigated. The presence of superoxide (O(2)(.-)) and hydroxyl ((.)OH) radicals, malonyldialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and total flavonoids were observed in the above-ground parts of plant, as well as activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide-dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (P-ase). The potential antioxidant activity of the methanol:water extract has been assessed based on scavenging activity of stable DPPH free radicals. By the means of TLC and LC/MS a screening for secondary plant products was performed. Significant quantities of O(2)(.-), (.)OH and MDA were observed. Thus, this species exhibited high SOD and P-ase activities as well as a content of total flavonoids. The dominant naturally occurring compound was rosmarinic acid. The results obtained suggested a high antioxidant activity of Salvia reflexa Hornem. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.