Volatile Compounds from Salvia verticillata L. – Case Study from Serbia (Kopaonik Mountain) and Comparison to Literature Data

The genus Salvia is the largest genus within the plant family Lamiaceae. However, in Serbia, only 14 species grow in nature, and S. verticillata L., or lilac sage, is one of them. Although this plant is rich in biologically active compounds, it is relatively rarely used. In Serbian traditional medicine, herbal tea prepared from the aerial parts of S. verticillata is used as an expectorant, to disinfect the oral cavity, or as a cataplasm for wound healing. The root is used to relieve gastrointestinal complaints, lower blood sugar, and treat various types of cancer. The aim of this research was to investigate the GC-MS profile of essential oil obtained by hydro distillation from plants collected in Kopaonik Mountain and compare the results with literature data collected via scientific databases. Among 63 compounds, the dominant ones were: germacrene D (27.2%) and trans-caryophyllene (11.5%). A literature review identified 19 papers on the chemical composition of S. verticillata essential oil, all of which report the dominance of sesquiterpenes as the dominant class of compounds. Sesquiterpenes have been reported to possess numerous biological activities, which supports the pharmacological potential of this plant.