Antioxidant abietane diterpenoids from Salvia barrelieri

Abstract The root extract of endemic Algerian Salvia species Salvia barrelieri Ettling and its diterpenoids were investigated for potential antioxidant activity. From its acetone extract, a new natural abietane diterpenoid 7-oxoroyleanone-12-methyl ether ( 1 ) and six known diterpenoids 7 α -acetoxyroyleanone-12-methyl ether ( 2 ), royleanone ( 3 ), horminone ( 4 ), 7-acetylhorminone ( 5 ), cryptojaponol ( 6 ) and inuroyleanol ( 7 ) were isolated, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic means. Among the diterpenoids, the new diterpenoid 7-oxoroyleanone-12-methyl ether ( 1 ) showed highest superoxide anion scavenging activity while inuroyleanol ( 7 ) showed both the highest 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in β-carotene–linoleic acid system. These findings indicate that S. barrelieri extract as well as isolated abietane diterpenes, particularly inuroyleanol are promising antioxidants which can be used as food additives.