Effects of Salvia essential oils on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay

Abstract

The aerial parts of Salvia hedgeana Donmez, Salvia huberi Hedge, Salvia pisidica Boiss. & Heldr. ex Bentham. were subjected to hydrodistillation. The obtained essential oils were analyzed both by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The analyses showed that S. hedgeana essential oil consisted of beta-pinene (30.0%) as a major component, in addition to 65 identified components, representing 89.9% of the total essential oil. The major component of S. huberi was identified as 1,8-cineole (20.4%), and 76 further components were characterized representing 87.6%. S. pisidica essential oil revealed the occurrence of camphor (21.7%) as the main constituent among another 59 identified components of 76.8% of the total. Furthermore, the biological properties of the analyzed essential oils were tested using the in vivo method on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) in order to examine the anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic activity as well as possible irritant or toxic side effects. All essential oils tested at a concentration of 100 mu g/pellet showed no pronounced anti-inflammatory, angiogenic, or membrane-toxic properties.