Major Antioxidant Polyphenolic Phytochemicals of ThreeSalviaSpecies Endemic to the Island of Crete

Extracts from three Salvia sp. (S. fruticosa, S. pomifera, and S. sclarea), native to the island of Crete, were fractionated using ethyl acetate and n-butanol and analyzed using liquid chromatography–diode array–mass spectrometry. The antioxidant potency of each fraction was assessed by the antiradical activity (AAR) and the hydroxyl free radical scavenging activity (SAHFR). The chromatographic analyses revealed a rich profile, composed of mainly of flavones, accompanied by a limited number of phenylpropanoids. The highest antioxidant activity was displayed by the n-butanol fraction of S. fruticosa, which also had the richest polyphenolic composition.