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Peer-reviewedCC BYMolecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Phytochemical Composition, Bioactivities, and Medicinal Value of Salvia nemorosa L.

  • Ralitsa Parova1
  • Stanislava Ivanova1,2,3
  • Diana Karcheva-Bahchevanska1,2,3
  • Borislava Lechkova1,2,3
  • Kalin Ivanov1,2,3
  • Iva Slavova3,4
  • Zoya Dzhakova1,3
4 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
  2. 2Research Institute, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
  3. 3PERIMED-2, BG16RFPR002-1.014-0007, Central District, Vasil Aprilov Blvd. 15A, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
  4. 4Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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Abstract

Salvia nemorosa L. (Lamiaceae) is a perennial herb native mainly to Europe and Western Asia and has a fragmented but longstanding record of ethnomedicinal use. Although widely distributed, it remains a relatively underexplored member of the Salvia genus. Recent investigations have revealed that S. nemorosa is a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites, particularly phenolic acids, flavonoids, diterpenoids, triterpenoids, megastigmane glycosides, and volatile terpenoids. Among these, rosmarinic acid, sagerinic acid, and caffeoylquinic acids are predominant constituents contributing to its pronounced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Essential oils of S. nemorosa are characterized by high levels of sesquiterpenes, such as β-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide, which exhibit notable antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and neuroprotective properties. A critical comparison of published data indicates pronounced quantitative and qualitative variability related to geographical origin, plant organ, developmental stage, cultivation conditions, and extraction/analytical procedures. Comparative studies with other Salvia species suggest that S. nemorosa can show high antioxidant or enzyme-inhibitory activity under particular experimental conditions, but these findings are not consistent across all assays or populations. Evidence for the biological activity of S. nemorosa itself is predominantly derived from in vitro experiments, while in vivo and clinical evidence remains lacking or very limited. Earlier isolation studies also demonstrate that the phytochemistry of the species extends beyond common phenolic compounds and volatile constituents, including quinones, diterpenoids, triterpenoids, and megastigmane glycosides. This review critically synthesizes the available evidence, with emphasis on phytochemical variability, plant-organ and geographical differences, comparisons with other Salvia species, and the limitations that currently prevent firm conclusions regarding therapeutic applications.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{parova2026phytochemical,
  title = {{Phytochemical Composition, Bioactivities, and Medicinal Value of Salvia nemorosa L.}},
  author = {Ralitsa Parova and Stanislava Ivanova and Diana Karcheva-Bahchevanska and Borislava Lechkova and Kalin Ivanov and Iva Slavova and Zoya Dzhakova},
  journal = {Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3390/molecules31193522},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13666640},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Phytochemical Composition, Bioactivities, and Medicinal Value of Salvia nemorosa L.
AU  - Ralitsa Parova
AU  - Stanislava Ivanova
AU  - Diana Karcheva-Bahchevanska
AU  - Borislava Lechkova
AU  - Kalin Ivanov
AU  - Iva Slavova
AU  - Zoya Dzhakova
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/01
JO  - Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
DO  - 10.3390/molecules31193522
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13666640
AB  - Salvia nemorosa L. (Lamiaceae) is a perennial herb native mainly to Europe and Western Asia and has a fragmented but longstanding record of ethnomedicinal use. Although widely distributed, it remains a relatively underexplored member of the Salvia genus. Recent investigations have revealed that S. nemorosa is a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites, particularly phenolic acids, flavonoids, diterpenoids, triterpenoids, megastigmane glycosides, and volatile terpenoids. Among these, rosmarinic acid, sagerinic acid, and caffeoylquinic acids are predominant constituents contributing to its pronounced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Essential oils of S. nemorosa are characterized by high levels of sesquiterpenes, such as β-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide, which exhibit notable antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and neuroprotective properties. A critical comparison of published data indicates pronounced quantitative and qualitative variability related to geographical origin, plant organ, developmental stage, cultivation conditions, and extraction/analytical procedures. Comparative studies with other Salvia species suggest that S. nemorosa can show high antioxidant or enzyme-inhibitory activity under particular experimental conditions, but these findings are not consistent across all assays or populations. Evidence for the biological activity of S. nemorosa itself is predominantly derived from in vitro experiments, while in vivo and clinical evidence remains lacking or very limited. Earlier isolation studies also demonstrate that the phytochemistry of the species extends beyond common phenolic compounds and volatile constituents, including quinones, diterpenoids, triterpenoids, and megastigmane glycosides. This review critically synthesizes the available evidence, with emphasis on phytochemical variability, plant-organ and geographical differences, comparisons with other Salvia species, and the limitations that currently prevent firm conclusions regarding therapeutic applications.
SN  - 1420-3049
ER  -