Sage, Studies

Genetic diversity and metabolic profile of Salvia officinalis populations: implications for advanced breeding strategies

Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Medicinal Property of Sage (Salvia) to Prevent and Cure Illnesses such as Obesity, Diabetes, Depression, Dementia, Lupus, Autism, Heart Disease, and Cancer

Alzheimer's

• Sage (Salvia officinalis) extract has a therapeutic effect on patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
• Salvia officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a double blind, randomized and placebo-controlled study Alzheimer's disease is characterized by a slow, progressive decline in cognitive function and behaviour. Acetylcholine esterase inhibitors are the only agents approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. All other agents prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease are used on an off-label basis. Current research into new drugs is focused on agents that will prevent, slow down and/or halt the progress of the disease process. Salvia officinalis has been used in herbal medicine for many centuries. It has been suggested, on the basis of traditional medicine, its in vitro cholinergic binding properties and modulation of mood and cognitive performance in humans, that Salvia officinalis might potentially provide a novel natural treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of Salvia officinalis extract using a fixed dose (60 drops/day), in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, over a 4-month period.
  Results:At 4 months, S. officinalis extract produced a significant better outcome on cognitive functions than placebo (ADAS-cog: F = 4.77, d.f. = 1, P = 0.03) (CDR-SB: F = 10.84, d.f. = 1, P < 0.003). There were no significant differences in the two groups in terms of observed side-effects except agitation that appears to be more frequent in the placebo group (P = 0.09).

Conclusions:The results of this study indicate the efficacy of S. officinalis extract in the management of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, S. officinalis may well reduce agitation of patients but this needs to be confirmed.

• The spice sage and its active, neuroprotective ingredient rosmarinic acid could validate the traditional use of this spice in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Antibacterial / Antifungal

• A number of plant oil extracts inhibit multi-resistant strains of bacteria and yeast.
• Tarragon, sweet basil, sage and sweet acacia have anti-Vibrio cholerae activity.

Antiviral

Extracts from plants in the Lamiacea family inhibit HSV-1, HSV-2 and acyclovir-resistant strains of HSV-1.

Cancer

• Tea extracts facilitated free radical production in leukemia cells but protected normal cells from UV radiation.
• Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Salvia officinalis L. were found to have an antitumoral activity.
• Antiprotease and antimetastatic activity of ursolic acid isolated from Salvia officinalis.

Degenerative Diseases

Sage may prevent degenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress.

Diabetes

Sage leaf extract may be an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes.

Erythema

Sage extract is as effective as hydrocortisone in the topical treatment of erythema.

Gastroprotective

Sage has gastroprotective compounds which exhibit proton and potassium pump inhibitory activity.

Hepatoprotective

Sage contains antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties.

HIV

Aqueous extracts from peppermint, sage and lemon balm leaves exhibit anti-HIV-1 activity.

Memory

A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled pilot trial of a combined extract of sage, rosemary and melissa, traditional herbal medicines, on the enhancement of memory of healthy subects including age.

Menopause

• Sage and alfalfa extracts are effective in reducing menopausal symptoms.
• Women treated with a fresh sage preparation experienced a significant decrease in the number and severity of hot flashes over an eight-week study period.
• Salvia officinalis can be used to reduce the frequency of menopausal hot flashes.

Mood / Cognitive

Sage has cholinesterase inhibiting properties which improve mood and cognitive performance.

Neuroprotective

Neuroprotective potential of aromatic herbs: rosemary, sage, and lavender.

Obesity

Preventive effects of Salvia officinalis leaf extract on insulin resistance and inflammation in a model of high fat diet-induced obesity in mice that responds to rosiglitazone

Oral Health

Identification of 1,8-cineole, borneol, camphor, and thujone as anti-inflammatory compounds in a Salvia officinalis L. infusion using human gingival fibroblasts

Sore Throat

• Echinacea/sage is at least as effective as chlorhexidine/lidocaine for treating acute sore throats.
• Sage spray is a safe and effective treatment for patients with acute pharyngitis.

Thyroid Disorders

• Drinking herbal teas, especially chamomile over 30 years may significantly reduced the risk of thyroid cancer and benign thyroid diseases development by almost 80%.

Other Effects

• Sage contains compounds which bind to the benzodiazepine receptor in the human brain.
• Bioactive phytochemicals from Salvia officinalis attenuate cadmium-induced oxidative damage and genotoxicity.
• Salvia officinalis methanolic extract reduces lead and nicotine-induced sperm quality degeneration.