Abstract:
Salvia Ojficinalis plants, commonly known as Sage, possess a wide range of biological
activities. Although many studies were conducted on S. Ojficinalis, the research interest
in S. Officinalis plant is still justifiable because of its reputed medicinal value. The
purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the aqueous extract of S. Officinalis
leaves on blood lipid profile, glycemia, liver enzymes, gastric ulcer, inflammation and
bactericidal activity. After one month of water extract intake (42, 167 and 420 mg/kg body weight) in drinking
water in concomitance with a high fat diet, rats showed an increase in serum HDL
cholesterol levels, but significance was reached at the highest dose only. This was
accompanied with a small but important decrease in LDL cholesterol when the 167 and
420 mg/kg body weight doses were used. The extract also exhibited a dose dependent
decrease in serum glucose level, where significance was attained at the highest dose.
However, serum insulin was not significantly different from the control group. Extract
intake did not appear to affect stool triglyceride and cholesterol content except for a
significant decrease in cholesterol observed with the highest dose. At all doses, the
extract, reduced significantly the water content in the stools of rats. Assessment of liver
enzyme activities assured that the extract has no hepatotoxic effects over the study
period. S. Officinalis leaves aqueous extract (l00 and 500 mg/Kg body weight) also exhibited a
significant anti-ulcerogenic effect against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer, an inhibition comparable to that exerted by cimetidine, a proton pump inhibitor drug. Also, the extract
(100, 250 and 500 mg/lg body weight) showed a significant anti-inflammatory effect in
cases of both acute and chronic inflammation induced by carrageenan and formalin
respectively. No anti-bacterial effect was observed with the different concentrations used.
In conclusion, S. Officinalis leaves aqueous extract has a beneficial impact upon
lipidemia, glycemia, and inflammation, and it plays a minor protective role against
gastric ulcer. The extract can also be used as a remedy for the treatment of diarrhea.
