THE CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ROLE OF PIMARANES AND LABDANES FROM MEXICAN SALVIA SPECIES

Abstract

The genus Salvia (Lamiaceae) is widely distributed in Mexico with approximately 300 species. Aerial parts, leaves, and branches of sages are prepared as infusions or decoctions in traditional Mexican medicine to treat conditions such as dysentery, diarrhea, gastritis, stomach-ache, headache, sore throat, cough, bronchitis, fever, diabetes, epilepsy, nerves, insomnia, anxiety, among other ailments. The aim of this review was to compile and resume relevant information from literature regarding the chemical constituents of the pimarane and labdane type isolated from Mexican salvias and their biological activities covering the period from 1986 to 2022. A total of 31 compounds of these types were registered with 24 pimaranes and 7 labdanes. It was noticed that scientific evidence of the participation in the medicinal effects of Salvia species has not yet been reported for most of these diterpenoids. However, those described as bioactive have shown antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antihypotensive, antimutagenic, and antidiabetic properties. The present review provides information on the chemical and biological properties of pimaranes and labdanes from Mexican Salvia species suggesting their potential to become an option of treatment for diabetes and cancer, among other common diseases of Mexican population and of all the world. Nevertheless, further research is encouraged to demonstrate the benefits of these chemical constituents for health. © 2023 Laboratorios Mixim S.A. de C.V.. All rights reserved.