BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF ESSENTIAL SAGE OIL

Essential sage oil (ESO) was isolated from dry leaves by steam distillation with Neo-Clevenger apparatus. The chemical analysis of the ESO consisted in the assessment of the total polyphenolic content (Folin-Ciocalteu method) and of the radical scavenging activity with DPPH. The antioxidant activity was measured using two standard compounds: gallic acid and ascorbic acid. Phenolic content of essential oil of S. officinalis was significant (15.465 mg GAE/g oil) and antioxidant activity was high. Antibacterial activity of essential sage oil was evaluated against Gram positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains isolated from clinical specimens. The sage oil showed significant but variable antibacterial activity with inhibition zones ranging from 4 mm to 9.5.mm. The effect was stronger on Gram positive (Enterococcus, Staplylococcus) than Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia sp, Proteus sp, Klebsiella sp).