Chemical composition and antimicrobial action of the essential oils of Salvia desoleana and S-sclarea

The chemical composition of the essential oils of Salvia desoleana Atzei & Picci and Salvia sclarea L. from Sardinia (Italy) was analysed by GC and GC/MS. S. desoleana oil had a high content of monoterpenic esters (linalyl acetate and alpha-terpinyl acetate) and a lower amount of the corresponding alcohols while S. sclarea oil was characterised by a higher content of alcohols and lower quantity of esters. We studied the antimicrobial activity of these oils concerning their use in pharmaceutical preparations for local application. Only weak microbiostatic inhibitory activity was seen against S. aureus, E. coli, S. epidermidis and C. albicans, but since inhibition increased progressively with contact time, better results could be obtained by using these oils in bioadhesive formulations that would also have anti-inflammatory and peripheral analgesic action at a local level, as demonstrated in experimental animals following systemic application.