Química Medicinal

Recent Studies on the Neuropharmacological Effects of Salvia officinalis L.: A Promising Candidate for Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

Parisa Hasanein, Maryam Sharifi and Abbasali Emamjomeh

Salvia is the largest genus of the Lamiaceae family including about 100 species. Salvia officinalis L. (SO) is one of the most appreciated herbs for richness of the essential oil content and its numerous biologically active compounds. SO has been used in herbal medicine for many centuries. In Islamic literature, it is considered as one of the greatest forms of healing medicine. The leaves of the plant have a wide range of biological activities, such as anti-bacterial, fungistatic, virustatic, anticancer, astringent, eupeptic and antihydrotic effects. Recently, this plant has been focused for its application in traditional medicine as well as to find new neurobiological properties. In this review, the up-todate information on the neurobiological effects of SO on the central nervous system will be reviewed. These include analgesic, memory enhancing, neuroprotective, anticonvulsant, anti-addictive, sedative, anxiolytic, and skeletal muscle relaxant effects. Furthermore, chemical compounds responsible for these effects and the clinical studies on this plant are presented and discussed.