sage

Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum:  

Salvia officinalis, commonly known as sage, is a medicinal herb from the Lamiaceae family that has been used for its various therapeutic properties.  

Antimicrobial activity: sage has been reported to exhibit this activity. 

Antioxidant activity: sage possesses significant antioxidant activity due to its high phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and rosmarinic acid content. 

Antidiabetic activity: sage has been shown to have antidiabetic properties, as it may help to lower blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity. 

Cognitive-enhancing activity: sage has been traditionally used as a herb, and studies have shown that it may benefit effects on memory and cognitive function.  

Gastroprotective activity: sage has been reported to exhibit gastroprotective activity, which may be beneficial in the managing gastrointestinal disorders, such as gastric ulcers. 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency not defined 

Headaches  

Irritability 

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning:   

Pregnancy and Lactation: sage should be used cautiously during pregnancy and Lactation. sage has been shown to have estrogenic effects, which may pose a risk of hormonal imbalances during pregnancy and Lactation.   

Seizures: sage has been reported to have the potential to induce seizures in susceptible individuals.  

Drug Interactions: sage may interact with certain medications, including anticoagulants, antidiabetic drugs, and antihypertensive drugs.   

Allergic Reactions: If you experience symptoms like rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing after using sage, discontinue and seek medical attention immediately.  

Children: sage should not be used without proper medical supervision in infants and young children.  

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution:   

Pregnancy and Lactation: sage is known to have uterine-stimulating properties and has been traditionally used as an abortifacient. Therefore, it is contraindicated during pregnancy as it may cause uterine contractions and increase the risk of miscarriage.  

Seizure disorders: sage has been reported to have a proconvulsant effect and may lower the seizure threshold. Therefore, individuals with a history of seizure disorders or epilepsy should avoid sage as it may trigger seizures or worsen the condition. 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy warnings:     

Pregnancy category: N/A 

Lactation: Excreted into human milk is unknown 

Pregnancy Categories:         

Category A: Studies that were well-controlled and met expectations revealed no risk to the fetus in  the first or second trimester. 

Category B: There were a lack of studies on pregnant women and no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal experiments.   

Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.    

Category D: adequate data with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.   

Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.    

Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category

Pharmacology

Pharmacology: 

The pharmacology of sage is complex, with various active compounds contributing to its therapeutic effects. 

Chemical Composition: sage contains a wide array of bioactive compounds, including essential oils, flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenoids, and tannins. The essential oil of sage is rich in monoterpenes, such as α-thujone, β-thujone, camphor, and cineole, which are responsible for its characteristic aroma and contribute to its medicinal properties.  

Pharmacodynamics: sage exhibits a diverse range of pharmacodynamic properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective effects.  

Mechanism of Action: sage (Salvia officinalis) is a medicinal herb used traditionally for various therapeutic purposes. The mechanism of action of sage is multifaceted and involves several bioactive compounds found in the plant, including volatile oils, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. 

Pharmacokinetics:  

Absorption: 

sage (Salvia officinalis) is commonly consumed orally as an infusion or used topically as an essential oil. The bioactive compounds in sage, such as volatile oils, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, are readily absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract upon oral ingestion.  

Distribution : 

Once absorbed, the bioactive compounds in sage are distributed throughout the body via systemic circulation. They can penetrate various tissues and organs, including the liver, kidneys, lungs, and brain. 

Metabolism: 

sage undergoes metabolism primarily in the liver, where its bioactive compounds undergo various biotransformation reactions. The major metabolic pathway of sage involves hydrolysis, oxidation, and conjugation reactions, mediated by phase I and II drug-metabolizing enzymes, such as cytochrome P450 enzymes and glucuronosyltransferases.  

Elimination and Excretion: 

The metabolites of sage and any unmetabolized compounds excreted from the renal and fecal routes. Renal excretion occurs through glomerular filtration and active tubular secretion, while fecal excretion occurs through biliary excretion and the subsequent elimination in feces. 

Adminstartion

Administration:  

Oral administration: sage is commonly used as an infusion, decoction, or tincture. These formulations are prepared by steeping dried sage leaves in hot water, boiling them in water, or extracting them in alcohol.  

Topical administration: Topical application of sage essential oil is commonly used for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and skin-rejuvenating properties.   

Inhalation: sage essential oil can also be used for inhalation by adding a few drops to hot water or a diffuser. Inhalation of sage essential oil is commonly used for its respiratory, antimicrobial, and mood-enhancing effects.  

Dietary supplementation: sage is available in capsules, tablets, or extracts, which can be taken orally as a dietary supplement.  

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: sage 

Why do we use sage?  

sage is a perennial herb that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. used in herbal medicine, and its leaves are known for their distinctive aroma and flavor. sage has been used for a various health purpose due to its rich phytochemical composition. The leaves of sage contain various bioactive compounds, including volatile oils (such as thujone, camphor, and cineole), flavonoids (such as apigenin and luteolin), and phenolic acids (such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid).