Sage Essential Oil as a Natural Antigenotoxic Agent: Comet Assay Findings and Pharmacological Relevance

Oxidative stress is a major contributor to genomic instability and a key factor in the etiology of various chronic diseases. Natural compounds with antioxidant and DNA-protective properties are increasingly being explored as potential preventive agents. In this study, we investigated the antigenotoxic potential of Salvia sclarea L. (sage) essential oil in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress. The DNA damage was assessed using the in vivo Comet assay, and five concentrations of sage essential oil (0.2–3%) were evaluated, both with and without co-exposure to H2O2. The results show a dose-dependent reduction in DNA damage in cells treated with the essential oil, with significant protection observed at all tested concentrations. Chemical characterization of the essential oil revealed a high content of linalyl acetate (62.63%) and linalool (22.22%), compounds known for their antioxidant activities. These findings demonstrate the antigenotoxic capacity of S. sclarea essential oil and strengthen the evidence supporting its role as a natural agent capable of protecting human cells from oxidative DNA damage. The study contributes to the growing body of evidence on essential oils as multifunctional bioactive agents and highlights the importance of incorporating natural compounds into strategies aimed at mitigating oxidative DNA damage.