The chemotaxonomy and biological activity of salvia stenophylla ( lamiaceae ) and related taxa

Abstract

Salvia stenophylla Burch, ex Benth. (Lamiaceae) is a perennial aromatic herb, which is widespread in the high altitude areas of the central and eastern parts of South Africa and also occurs in southwest Botswana and central Namibia. It is closely related to Salvia runcinata L. f. and Salvia repens Burch, ex Benth., with which it forms a species complex. The most recent revision of southern African Salvia species is that by Codd (1985). In this revision, the most important characters used in delimiting the three taxa were corolla size, calyx size and trichome density. As a result of intergrading morphological characters, the specific limits between the three taxa are not clear and positive identification of typical material is often difficult. Taxonomic delimitation through use of chemical characters was therefore the principle objective of this study. The taxa represented in this species complex are known in folk medicine and plant extracts have been used in the treatment of urticaria, body sores, and stomach ailments and as a disinfectant. S. stenophylla is reported to contain a-bisabolol, a compound that has anti-inflammatory properties. Based on the traditional uses of these plants and the international use of a-bisabolol to develop active cosmetic products, establishing a scientific rationale for the known uses was an important secondary objective