Diterpenes with Abietane and Clerodane Skeletons from the Mexican Salvia Species as Potential Bioactive Compounds

Salvia (Lamiaceae) is Mexico’s most diverse and widely distributed genus. It represents an important natural resource for the country, with approximately 310 species belonging to the subgenera Calosphace, Audibertia, and Heterosphace. Several of these species have been used in traditional Mexican medicine to treat various diseases. However, the main secondary metabolites as potential bioactive components have been poorly described. This review aims to identify the main chemical constituents of Mexican sages with abietane- and/or clerodane-type diterpene structures, list those with documented biological properties, and analyze the distribution of secondary metabolites within the genus from a phylogenetic perspective. The research identified at least 406 diterpene chemical components in Mexican salvias; of these, 128 were abietanes and 278 were clerodanes. Interestingly, some possess a broad spectrum of biological activities, including antidiabetic, antioxidant, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic effects, among the most cited. Analysis of the distribution of abietanes and clerodanes in Mexican salvias showed a marked difference in their occurrence, since abietanes are mainly found in the Audibertia subgenus and clerodanes are more evident in the Calosphace subgenus. This review provides chemical and pharmacological information on diterpene metabolites in Mexican Salvia species, supporting the relevance of studying these species for future research on their potential bioactivity as a source of new therapeutic alternatives.