Evaluation of the Therapeutic Potential and Safety Profile of Six Salvia Species Native to Türkiye

The genus Salvia L. represents one of the most pharmacologically significant groups within the Lamiaceae family. This study investigates the phytochemical profiles and biological activities of six Salvia species native to Türkiye (S. dorystaechas B.T.Drew, S. sclarea L., S. glutinosa L., S. tomentosa Mill., S. argentea L., and S. aethiopis L.) to scientifically validate their extensive use in Turkish traditional medicine. Phytochemical characterization was performed using Liquid Chromatography–High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS), while biological potential was evaluated through antioxidant (DPPH), antimicrobial (MIC), and cytotoxicity (MTT on NIH/3T3 cells) assays. Among the taxa, S. dorystaechas exhibited the most potent antioxidant activity, with IC50 values of 0.090 mg/mL (infusion) and 0.072 mg/mL (ethanolic), which strongly correlated with high total phenolic contents (111.50 and 125.55 mg GAE/g, respectively). This species may also serve as a potential source of bioactive compounds. Antimicrobial screenings against pathogenic bacteria and Candida spp. demonstrated modest inhibitory effects, with MIC values ranging from 625 to >5000 µg/mL. Safety profiling indicated that the ethanolic extract of S. tomentosa showed the lowest cytotoxicity (IC50 562.37 ± 49.50 µg/mL) among the tested samples, which nonetheless indicates a relatively narrow therapeutic window. LC-HRMS profiling revealed the presence of flavonoids and phenolic diterpenes, such as carnosol and rosmanol, providing a chemical rationale for the observed moderate activities. Consequently, rather than direct systemic pharmacological agents, these findings suggest that the studied Salvia species could serve as preliminary botanical sources for the isolation of specific secondary metabolites or for restricted topical applications.