Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antinociceptive Activities of the Aqueous Fraction of a Methanolic Extract of Salvia brandegeei Root

Background/Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the secondary metabolites of the aqueous fraction of a methanolic extract of Salvia brandegeei root and their antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties. Methods: Fifteen reference compounds were evaluated by HPLC-UV, of which nine were tentatively identified in the aqueous fraction of the methanolic extract of Salvia brandegeei root. The antimicrobial effect of Salvia brandegeei 100, 50, 25, and 12.5 mg/mL and the vehicle (saline solution) against four ATCC bacterial and three fungal ATCC strains was analyzed. The DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods were used to evaluate antioxidant action. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory action, the topical application of TPA to the ear of mice was used, while to evaluate the antinociceptive effect, formalin and acetic acid models were used. In these animal models, Salvia brandegeei 100, 50, 25, and 12.5 mg/kg and the vehicle (saline solution) were administered orally. In addition, the antinociceptive mechanisms of action of Salvia brandegeei were evaluated with L-NAME (5 mg/kg), naloxone (2 mg/kg), and glibenclamide (10 mg/kg). Results: A total of 9 secondary metabolites were tentatively identified in the aqueous fraction of a methanolic root extract of Salvia brandegeei. Salvia brandegeei inhibited the growth of all ATCC species against which it was tested and showed an antioxidant effect through all three methods used. Salvia brandegeei produced a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect in both animal models. Conclusions: This study presents the first evidence of preliminary biological activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antinociceptive effects, of an aqueous fraction of a methanolic root extract of Salvia brandegeei.