Sage-called plant species sold in Turkey and their antioxidant activities

Sage is commonly consumed as a herbal tea in Anatolia, where not only Salvia species, but also Sideritis species are called sage by the local people. Therefore, it was decided to investigate the most common species of sage-called plants sold in aktars (traditional herb-selling stores). Eighty-seven samples randomly purchased from 21 provinces throughout Turkey were identified, which finally led to the identification of 7 species; Salvia tomentosa, Salvia fruticosa, Sideritis congesta, Sideritis pisidica var. termessi, Sideritis arguta, Sideritis perfoliata and Sideritis libanotica subsp. linearis. Infusions prepared from all samples were preliminarily tested for their antioxidant activity and 7 representative species were further evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, ferrous ion-chelating and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) tests at 0.25, 0.50, and 1.0 mg ml(-1) and for their anti-acetylcholinesterase activity. The infusions were subjected to the DPPH bioautographic revelatory test, which led to the conclusion that a flavonoid derivative seemed to be responsible for the antioxidant activity in S. congesta and S. pisidica var. termessi.