Essential oil compositions and in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the methanol extracts of two Salvia species (Lamiaceae) from Iran

Methanolic extracts were analyzed for their antioxidant properties. The total phenol and flavonoid contents of the species were measured by Folin Ciocalteu and Alcl3 assays. Essential oils of the species were analyzed by GC and GC/MS methods. In addition antibacterial activities of the methanoic extracts and of the essential oils were studied by disc diffusion method. Results showed that S. multicaulis has more content of total phenols (3.7 ± 0.25 mg/g dw). Results from antioxidant activity assays showed that S. reuterana in DPPH radical scavenging, metal-chelation and -carotene bleaching assays is more active than S. multicaulis. However, S. multicaulis showed more activity in anion superoxide scavenging assay. Results from GC/MS analysis showed that the oil of S. multicaulis was characterized with longifolen-V2 and aristolen (17.2%) as major constituents, but linalool (58.9%) is major component described in the oil of S. reuterana. In addition, both species inhibit the strong antibacterial activity.