SGE7.8

Sage Research

18 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 7.8/10

Systematic review of clinical trials assessing pharmacological properties of Salvia species on memory, cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.

Miroddi M et al. • CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics (2014)

The available evidence from clinical trials suggests that Salvia species may improve cognitive performance in healthy subjects and patients with dementia, possibly through acetylcholinesterase inhibitory properties.

Multiple clinical trials demonstrated improvements in memory and attention in healthy young adults following acute and chronic Salvia officinalis or Salvia lavandulaefolia administration.
Sage extracts exhibit dose-dependent acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, mirroring the mechanism of approved Alzheimer's medications.
A randomized controlled trial in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease showed significantly better cognitive outcomes with Salvia officinalis extract compared to placebo over 4 months.

Systematic Review

DOI

Exploring the therapeutic impact of Salvia officinalis on lipid and oxidative stress markers in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome - a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Maleki-Hajiagha A et al. • BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2025)

Salvia officinalis supplementation significantly improved lipid profiles and reduced oxidative stress markers in women with polycystic ovary syndrome compared to placebo.

Women with PCOS receiving Salvia officinalis extract showed significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides compared to the placebo group.
Oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde (MDA) and total oxidant status (TOS) were significantly reduced in the sage supplementation group.
Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was significantly increased in the Salvia officinalis group relative to placebo.

RCTn=60

DOI

Salvia officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease

Akhondzadeh S et al. • J Clin Pharm Ther (2003)

Sage extract produced significantly better cognitive outcomes than placebo in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease at 4 months

Significant improvement in ADAS-cog and CDR-SB scores vs placebo (P<0.003)
Reduced agitation in the treatment group
No significant side effect differences between groups

RCTn=42

DOI

An extract of Salvia (sage) with anticholinesterase properties improves memory and attention in healthy older volunteers

Scholey AB et al. • Psychopharmacology (2008)

333 mg sage extract significantly enhanced secondary memory performance at all post-dose testing times vs placebo

Crossover study in 20 healthy adults over 65 years
333 mg dose consistently enhanced secondary memory across all timepoints
Dose-dependent benefits to stimulus processing and memory consolidation

RCTn=20

DOI

Effects of cholinesterase inhibiting sage on mood, anxiety and performance on a psychological stressor battery

Kennedy DO et al. • Neuropsychopharmacology (2006)

300 mg sage reduced anxiety; 600 mg increased alertness, calmness and contentedness

Double-blind crossover study in 30 healthy participants
300 mg dose significantly reduced anxiety on STAI
600 mg dose significantly increased alertness and contentedness

RCTn=30

DOI

Acute and Chronic Cognitive Effects of a Sage Extract: A Randomized, Placebo Controlled Study in Healthy Humans

Wightman EL et al. • Nutrients (2021)

Sage combination showed consistent significant benefit on working memory both acutely and after 29-day supplementation

RCT in 94 healthy adults aged 30-60
Significant improvements in working memory acutely and after 29 days
Sage prevented performance decline seen in placebo group

RCTn=94

DOI

Effect of Salvia Officinalis on Hot Flashes in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Moradi M et al. • Int J Community Based Nurs Midwifery (2023)

Sage significantly reduced hot flash frequency in postmenopausal women compared to placebo

Meta-analysis of 4 studies with 310 participants
All 4 studies showed sage reduced hot flash frequency and severity
Significant reduction in hot flash frequency vs placebo

Meta-Analysisn=310

Effectiveness of Menosan Salvia officinalis in the treatment of a wide spectrum of menopausal complaints

Rahte S et al. • Heliyon (2021)

Sage significantly reduced somato-vegetative and psychological menopausal symptoms within 4 weeks

Double-blind RCT in 80 menopausal women aged 48-65
Significant reduction in hot flushes, exhaustion, and fatigue
Improved sleep quality (PSQI) and mood (POMS)

RCTn=80

DOI

Antihyperlipidemic effects of Salvia officinalis L. leaf extract in patients with hyperlipidemia

Kianbakht S et al. • Phytother Res (2011)

Sage extract significantly lowered total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL while increasing HDL

Double-blind RCT in 67 hyperlipidemic patients
500 mg sage extract every 8 hours for 2 months
Significant reductions in TC, TG, LDL, and VLDL

RCTn=67

DOI

The effect of Salvia officinalis on blood glycemic indexes and blood lipid profile in diabetic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Hasani H et al. • J Complement Integr Med (2022)

Meta-analysis showed sage reduced FBS by 31 mg/dL and HbA1c by 0.94% in diabetic patients

Meta-analysis of 3 RCTs on sage in diabetes
Significant reduction in FBS (MD: -31.15 mg/dL, P<0.00001)
Significant reduction in HbA1c (MD: -0.94%, P<0.00001)

Meta-Analysis

DOI

Efficacy of Salvia officinalis extract on insulin resistance in euglycemic patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Jamshidi-Kia F et al. • Complement Ther Med (2020)

Sage extract decreased BMI and improved insulin resistance markers in PCOS patients over 8 weeks

Triple-blind RCT in 60 euglycemic PCOS patients
330 mg S. officinalis daily for 8 weeks
Significant improvements in BMI, systolic BP, HOMA-IR, and QUICKI

RCTn=60

DOI

Salvia (Sage): A Review of its Potential Cognitive-Enhancing and Protective Effects

Lopresti AL • Drugs R D (2017)

Multiple human trials confirm improvements in memory, attention, alertness, and mood following sage administration

Comprehensive review of Salvia cognitive effects
Key mechanisms: AChE inhibition, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, estrogenic activity
Multiple RCTs confirm memory and mood benefits

Review

DOI

Effect of Salvia officinalis extract on symptoms of flushing, night sweat, sleep disorders and forgetfulness in postmenopausal women

Zeidabadi A et al. • J Family Med Prim Care (2020)

Sage extract significantly improved flushing, night sweats, sleep, depression, anxiety, and sexual desire over 3 months

Double-blind RCT in 66 postmenopausal women
300 mg/day for 3 months vs placebo
Significant decreases in flushing, sleep disorders, depression, and anxiety

RCTn=66

DOI

Improved glycemic control and lipid profile in hyperlipidemic type 2 diabetic patients consuming Salvia officinalis

Kianbakht S et al. • Complement Ther Med (2013)

Sage extract lowered fasting glucose, HbA1c, total cholesterol, and LDL in type 2 diabetic patients

RCT in 80 type 2 diabetic patients
500 mg sage extract three times daily for 3 months
Significant reductions in fasting glucose, HbA1c, TC, TG, and LDL

RCTn=80

DOI

Effect of Salvia officinalis on diabetic patients

Behradmanesh S et al. • J Renal Inj Prev (2014)

Sage significantly decreased 2-hour postprandial blood sugar and cholesterol in type 2 diabetic patients

Double-blind RCT in 80 type 2 diabetic patients
Sage tablets three times daily for 3 months
Significant reduction in postprandial blood sugar and cholesterol

RCTn=80

DOI

Acute Effects of Salvia Supplementation on Cognitive Function in Athletes During a Fatiguing Cycling Exercise

Babault N et al. • Front Nutr (2021)

Single 600 mg sage dose significantly improved working memory and reaction time in athletes during fatiguing exercise

Double-blind crossover study in 26 athletes
Single 600 mg sage extract vs placebo
Significant improvements in working memory, reaction time, and perceived exertion

RCTn=26

DOI

First time proof of sage's tolerability and efficacy in menopausal women with hot flushes

Bommer S et al. • Adv Ther (2011)

Fresh sage preparation reduced total hot flush score by 50% within 4 weeks and 64% within 8 weeks

Open-label multicenter trial in 71 menopausal women
Total hot flush severity decreased 50% at 4 weeks, 64% at 8 weeks
Very severe flushes completely eliminated; severe reduced by 79%

Open-Labeln=71

DOI

Effect of Salvia officinalis extract on the menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women: An RCT

Dadfar F et al. • Int J Reprod BioMed (2019)

Sage extract significantly reduced hot flashes, night sweats, panic, fatigue in postmenopausal women

RCT in 30 postmenopausal women aged 46-58
100 mg sage extract daily for 4 weeks
Severity of hot flashes, night sweats, panic, and fatigue significantly decreased

RCTn=30

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