Screening for antioxidant properties of Salvia nemorosa L. and Salvia glutinosa L.

Antioxidant properties of two wild growing sage species from the Serbian flora, Salvia nemorosa L. and Salvia glutinosa L., were investigated. The presence of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, malonyldialdehyde, reduced glutathione, soluble proteins and total flavonoids were observed in the above-ground parts of plants, as well as activities of two antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase. By the means of TLC-densitometry, UV/VIS-spectrometry and LC/MS a screening for secondary plant products was performed as well. Significant quantities of active oxygen species and malonyldialdehyde were observed in plant leaves. Thus, investigated species exhibited high superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities as well as the content of total flavonoids. The dominant naturally occurring compound in both species was rosmarinic acid. The results obtained suggested high antioxidant abilities of Salvia nemorosa L. and Salvia glutinosa L.