Phytochemical and biological evaluation of Salvia apiana.

Salvia apiana (white sage, Lamiaceae family) plant is native to southern California and parts of Mexico. Some Native American tribes local to this region consider S. apiana to be sacred and burn the leaves as incense for purification ceremonies. The plant has been used to treat sore throats, coughs, chest colds, upper respiratory infections and poison oak rashes. The aqueous ethanolic extract of S. apiana showed moderate CB1 activity (58.3% displacement). Chromatographic purification of the ethanolic extract on silica gel column led to isolation of nine compounds: rosmadial (I), carnosol (II), 16-hydroxycarnosol (III), sageone (IV), cirsimaritin (V), salvigenin (VI), oleanolic acid (VII), 3β,28-dihydroxy-urs-12-ene (VIII), and ursolic acid (IX). The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by their 1D, 2D NMR and MS spectral data. All the fractions and isolated compounds were tested for cannabinoid and opioid receptor binding.