Salvia plebeia R.Br.: A comprehensive review of its ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, quality control, and current applications.

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• Effect Size: Not applicable - narrative review without quantitative synthesis

• Primary Outcome: 325 chemical constituents identified, dominated by flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids, volatile oils, sterols, and lignans

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: Anti-inflammatory, antiviral, immunoregulatory, and antioxidant activities demonstrated in preclinical studies

• Confidence Interval: Not provided

Clinical Application

Limited by lack of standardised preparations and insufficient clinical evidence Not currently registered with TGA; would require extensive safety and efficacy data for therapeutic goods approval. Limited relevance to current Australian clinical practice guidelines. Patients with inflammatory conditions, respiratory infections, and nephritis in traditional medicine contexts

Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Salvia plebeia R.Br. (Lamiaceae), the dried aerial parts, has been traditionally used across China and East/South Asia to treat sore throat, bronchitis, nephritis edema, abscesses, mastitis, hemorrhoids, and bleeding disorders, consistent with traditional indications of heat-clearing, detoxifying, cooling blood, and promoting diuresis. AIM OF THE REVIEW: This study provides a systematic overview of the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, quality control, and current applications of S. plebeia, while highlighting current research gaps and future perspectives. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using multiple scientific databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Elsevier, ACS, CNKI, and Google Scholar, covering publications from database inception to October 2025. Relevant information on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, quality control, and applications of S. plebeia was systematically collected, screened, and synthesized according to predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. RESULTS: To date, 325 constituents have been identified, dominated by flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids, volatile oils, sterols, lignans, and others. Extracts and purified compounds show tradition-relevant anti-inflammatory, antiviral, immunoregulatory, and antioxidant activities, while other reported effects (hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, cardiovascular-protective, sedative/anticonvulsant, anticancer, and anti-photoaging) are presented as exploratory findings. Quality evaluation evolved from UV and HPLC to UPLC-MS fingerprinting using flavonoids and sesquiterpenes as markers. In practical applications, S. plebeia has been used in medicinal preparations for the management of pharyngitis, bronchitis, nephritis, dermatitis, and anorectal inflammation. In food sector, it has been developed into functional products, including health teas, chewable or effervescent tablets, composite beverages, and co-fermented vinegars. CONCLUSION: Although S. plebeia shows broad pharmacological potential, current investigations remain constrained by incomplete chemical space coverage, limited pharmacokinetic and toxicological characterization, and insufficient well-designed clinical evidence. Future research should focus on comprehensive constituent profiling, mechanism-oriented validation aligned with traditional indications, standardized quality markers/fingerprints, and rigorous PK-toxicology-clinical translation, to promote safe, effective, and evidence-based utilization of S. plebeia in medicine and functional food development.

References

1. 1.Wang, H., Hu, D., Liu, N., Qiu, J., Zhang, X., & Jiang, W. (2026). Salvia plebeia R.Br.: A comprehensive review of its ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, quality control, and current applications. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 121227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2026.121227