Interactions between estrogens and Salvia officinalis L. on an animal experimental model using ovariectomized rats are obvious on the uterus. Estradiol (E) administered for 3 days, 0.75 micromoles/kg/day elevates significantly all morphometric indexes. Salvia extract alone has no effect on the uterus, but potentiates in a dose-dependent manner the trophic effect of the E. On the other organs both agents has minimal effects.

Keywords: estradiol, Salvia officinalis L. extract, morphometric index, uterus.

Clinical observation concerning neurovegetative changes in climax suggests possible favourable effects of Salvia officinalis L. (SE) to treat endocrine disturbances during this critical period (6). The effects of SE on the uterus and its interaction with the estrogens were studied on an experimental model using ovariectomized rats (1,4).

We used virgin female Wistar-Bratislava rats weighting 58-106 g (Table 1). Animals were kept in standard laboratory conditions, natural light-dark cycle, and divided in 7 groups. Ovariectomy was performed in the same day, using pentobarbital Na i.p. general anaesthesia (40 mg/kg/2ml). The first group (10 rats) was sham-operated, the following 6 groups (8 rats/group) undergone lumbar ovariectomy after local antiseptic treatment (1). No general antibiotic was used prior or after ovariectomy. After 3 weeks specific treatment started (Table 2).

Animals were sacrificed at 12 hours after the last dose using pentobarbital Na i.p. 70 mg/kg/2ml. All organs taken into study were measured on a torsion balance, than dried (at 110°C) and measured again, so we obtained 3 weights: total, dry and water-content (by difference). Relative weight was calculated for each organ (organ weight in mg/100 g body-weight)(as shown in Table 3). Student's "t" test was used to test for statistical significance (p<0.05).

Medication used

1. Pentobarbital Na aqueous solution 2%, prepared extemporaneously
2. Estradiol (E): ampoules(Biofarm®, Romania) of 2,5 mg/1ml, diluted in his own excipient (hexilic alcohol 5% in oleum helianthii)
3. Salvia extract (SE), obtained from the Pharmaceutical Botany Dept. of the "Iuliu Hatieganu" UMF; two dilutions were prepared - 1:5 and 1:50

In our experiment, estradiol elevates all 3 morphometric indexes, and causes liquid accumulation in the uterine horn. Salvia extract (SE) alone does not have any effect on the uterus, but it is able to potentiate estradiol action (Tables 3 and 4).

Literature regarding estrogenic action of Salvia officinalis L. is quite vague (2). Some improvements were observed in climax after such treatment (6). Effects of SE depend on its composition. The plant contains a high diversity of compounds (5,7). Some are toxic in high dosage, like essential oils. Sabinyl acetate, present in essential oils of other Salvia species (S. lavandulifolia), can be abortifacient in female rat (3). Our hydro-alcoholic extract of Salvia officinalis L. was obtained by percolation and does not contain essential oil (5).

A pertinent analysis regarding the uterine effects of SE requires the exact composition of the Salvia extract, eventually individual testing of each component using this experimental model.

On the other organs estradiol and SE have little influence (Tables 3 and 4).

1. Estradiol and Salvia officinalis L. extract administered to virgin female ovariectomized rats has distinct effects on uterus and the rest of the organs taken into study

2. Estradiol at a dose of 0.75 micromoles/kg/day, for 3 days elevates significantly the relative weights (total, dry and water-content).

3. Salvia extract in two concentrations does not alter uterine relative weight.

4. Associated to estradiol, Salvia extract potentiates in a dose-dependent manner its trophic effect.

5. On the other organs estradiol has slight and frequently discrepant effect on the 3 types of weight.

6. Salvia extract in these two concentrations has minimal effect on the morphometric parameters on these organs.

1. Baiceanu G.(1999) Efecte endocrine ale Salvia officinalis L. MD thesis, UMF "Iuliu Hatieganu" Cluj-Napoca.

2. Benigni R., Capra C., Cattorini P.E.(1962), Piante medicinali, vol. 2, Inverni &Della Beffa, Milano, 1409-1420.

3. Fournier G., Pages N., Cosperec I. (1993): Contribution to the study of Salvia lavandulifolia essential oil: Potential toxicity attributable to sabinyl acetate. Planta Med.59, 96-97.

4. May M. (1971): Estrogenic and antiestrogenic agents, In Turne R.A., Hebborn P. (Eds.), Screening methods in Pharmacology vol.2, New York-London, 85-100.

5. Tamas M., Fagarasanu E., Ionescu C. (1986): Contributii la studiul fitochimical produsului Salviae folium, Farmacia 34,181-186.

6. Vinti D., Raican D., Tamas N., Toader S. (1985): Aprecierea efectului extractului de Salvia in tratamentul unor tulburari de climacteriu. Simpozion. Medicamente indigene de origine vegetala UMF Cluj-Napoca Abstract Book p. 59.

7. Wang M F., Kikuzaki H., Zhu N.Q., Sang S.M., Nakatani N., Ho C.T. (2000): Isolation and structural elucidation of two new glycosides from sage (Salvia officinalis L.) J.Agr.Food Chem. 48, 235-238.