Pharmacological Properties of Salvia algeriensis (Desf.) Root and Stem Hydromethanol Extracts: An In Vitro and In Vivo Comparative Study

The genus Salvia is widely recognized for its diverse therapeutic properties; however, the phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics of several species, including Salvia algeriensis (Desf.), remain insufficiently investigated. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive assessment of the phenolic composition and biological activities of hydro-methanolic extracts obtained from the roots and stems of S. algeriensis (Desf.). Total phenolic content (TPC) and flavonoid content (FC) were quantified, while phytochemical profiling was conducted via liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn). Biological potential was evaluated using antioxidant assays (ABTS•+, TBARS, and H2O2), cytotoxicity screening via the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay against tumor cell lines, inhibition of acid phosphatase activity in macrophages, protection against erythrocyte hemolysis, and an in vivo anti-inflammatory model using carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice. Root extracts exhibited high phenolic (114.01 ± 2.52 µg GAE/mg extract) and flavonoid (11.31 ± 0.66 µg QE/mg extract) contents. A total of 20 phenolic compounds were identified in both extracts, with rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid K being the major constituents in the roots, while rosmarinic acid was predominant in the stems. Additional key compounds included caffeic acid, salvianolic acid B isomers, methyl rosmarinic acid, and luteolin-O-hexoside. Root extracts exhibited strong lipid peroxidation inhibition (10.42 ± 3.36 µg/mL) and promising cytotoxic effects especially against Caco-2, AGS, and HeLa cells. They also inhibited macrophage lysosomal enzyme activity, protected erythrocyte membranes dose-dependently, and significantly reduced paw edema at 5 hours (p < 0.005). Overall, S. algeriensis shows considerable potential as antioxidants, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents.