SALVIA GENUS AND TRITERPENOIDS

Salvia L., is one of the largest genera from Lamiaceae (Labiatae) family which comprises 900 species and is widely distributed in various regions of the world like in America, Europe, Asia. In this review article, the triterpenoid constituents were investigated from all of the Salvia plants to date are reported. About 214 triterpenoids of different classes were isolated and characterized from 113 species of salvia genus. So far the Salvia plants were investigated for their diterpenoids, phenolics and monoterpenes (volatile oils), especially for diterpenoids rather than for their triterpenoid constituents. However, during the isolation procedures of Salvia plant extracts, ursolic and oleanolic acids are common triterpenoid with other constituents isolated. Salvia, in Latin named “salvare”, which means “to heal” so by name its medicinal importance was understand, since from ancient times different salvia species were used to  cure more than sixty different ailments ranging from aches to epilepsy, and mainly to treat colds, bronchitis, tuberculosis, hemorrhage, and menstrual disorders. Salvia L., is one of the largest genera from Lamiaceae (Labiatae) family which comprises 900 species and is widely distributed in various regions of the world like in America, Europe, Asia.