Abstract
In this study, the essential oil compositions and antimicrobial and anticholinesterase activities of three Turkish endemic Salvia species were investigated. The gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the essential oils obtained from Salvia dicroantha, Salvia verticillata subsp. amasiaca, and Salvia wiedemannii showed that the major constituents were caryophyllene oxide (22.4%), Germacrene D (36.6%), and a-pinene (36.2%), respectively. All essential oils exhibited antimicrobial activity against tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and test yeast strains. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of oils ranged from 12.5 to 50.0 mu l/ml. Additionally, essential oils were more active than standard antifungals, inhibiting test strains of yeasts such as Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. At 400 mu M concentration, the essential oil of S. wiedemannii had moderate acetylcholinesterase (55.95+/-2.01%), and butyrylcholinesterase (50.97+/-3.12%) inhibitory activity, while other two species no activity against both enzymes.