Studies on the Physiological Function of In Vitro Produced Antioxidants from Sage (Salvia officinalis L.): Effects on Cell Growth and Metabolism

SUMMARY

We investigated the effect of antioxidant phenolic compounds produced by sage (Salvia officinalis) callus cultures on some physiological parameters of the producing cells. Although cultures demonstrated a continuous growth during an incubation period of five weeks, the cell dehydrogenase activity, the cytochrome c oxidase activity and the respiration of isolated mitochondria declined. An analysis of meth-anolic extracts derived from the callus pieces indicated that the accumulation of phenolic compounds was correlated with mitochondrial activity, although the antioxidant activity (Fe⁺² reduction) of the extracts was independent from any other physiological parameter. These results might elucidate some aspects of the physiological function of in vitro produced phenolic antioxidants from sage.

KEYWORDS:

• Antioxidant
• callus culture
• cell metabolism
• leaf explant
• mitochondria
• phenolic compound
• Salvia officinalis