New and biologically active compounds isolated from ornamental sages grown in “Riviera dei Fiori”.

The genus Salvia L. (Lamiaceae) includes over 900 species widespread all over the world. Various plants of this genus are widely used in folk medicine and some species are listed in modern Pharmacopoeias. Interesting compounds of this genus are flavonoids, essential oils, diterpenes and triterpenes, many of which possess anti-insect (antifeedant), anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, hallucinogenic and antioxidant activities. As a part of our research on species of Salvia cultivated in Italian “Riviera dei Fiori” (Liguria), we have studied the exudate of S. blepharophylla Brandegee ex Epling, S. cinnabarina M. Martens et Galeotti, S. wagneriana Polak., S. x jamensis J. Compton, S. cacaliaefolia Benth., S. corrugata Vahl, S. somalensis Vatke. From S. blepharophylla three clerodane diterpenoids were isolated: salvianduline D, previously found only in S. lavanduloides H. K. B., and two new compounds which suggested interestig chemotaxonomic correlation between various section of the subgenus Calosphace. From S. cinnabarina a new secoisopimarane diterpenoid was isolated which showed a papaverine like antispasmodic activity in vitro and in vivo. From S. wagneriana were isolated two new triterpenoids and three new clerodane diterpenoids besides 1, 10-dihydrosalviarin, a potent antifeedant substance against Spodoptera littoralis previously found only in S. lineata Benth., and hardwickic acid with insecticidal activity agaist Aphis craccivora. The exudates of S. x jamensis, S. cacaliaefolia, S. corrugata, S. somalensis showed a significant antifungal activity against Colletotrichum acutum, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. basilici, Botrytis cinerea and Rhizoctonia solani. Until now from S. x jamensis ursolic acid, betulinic acid, isopimaric acid, 14-α-hydroxy-isopimaric acid, 7,8-dihydrosalviacoccin and the new compound 15,16-epoxy-cleroda-3-en-7α,10β-dihydroxy-12,17;19,18-diolide were isolated; only 14-α-hydroxy-isopimaric acid showed activity. Carnosol was the active compound isolated until now from S. cacaliaefolia. Further investigation will be devoted to identify the active compounds from the exudates of S. corrugata and S. somalensis.