1.1 Background of Study
According to Wikipedia (2021), salvia officinalis (sage, also called garden sage, common sage, or culinary sage) is a perennial, evergreen subshrub, with woody stems, grayish leaves, and blue to purplish flowers. It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae and native to the Mediterranean region, though it has been naturalized in many places throughout the world. It has a long history of medicinal and culinary use, and in modern times it has been used as an ornamental garden plant. The common name "sage" is also used for a number of related and unrelated species (Wikipedia, 2021).
Salvia officinalis L. from the family Lamiaceae, is a worldwide cultivated aromatic herb that is endemic with Nigeria where it is known as Kasiin or Mariamia. It grows along the Nigerian coastline at different altitudes up to 900 m above the sea level (Mouterde, 1983). As a result of the favorable conditions, 19 species of genus Salvia are found in the Nigerian flora (Tohme and Tohme, 2002). Although S. officinalis has many different uses, essentially, it has been used as herbal remedy for a wide range of disorders and illnesses by applying it either internally or externally. It is employed as diuretic, tonic, menstruation’s promoter, local styptic, antiseptic, antiinflammatory, antifungal and spasmodic pain relief (Ioannides, 2002). It is also used as treatment for dysentery, coughing, indigestion, ulcer, varicose veins, insect bites (Dweck, 2000; Izzo, 2005). On the other hand, it is used for treating nervous conditions, trembling, should be used carefully since large doses can be toxic (Jellin et al., 2000). The properties of S. officinalis were depression and to mitigate aging symptoms (Scholey et al., 2008). Moreover, it has a lot of cosmetic uses such as skin and hair care (Barnes and Phillipson, 2007). But in spite of its efficiency in herbal therapy, S. officinalis believed to be due to its volatile essential oil, whereas S. officinalis is considered to have the highest amount of this oil when compared to the other species within the genus Salvia (Giannouli and Kintzios, 2000).
The essential oil of S. officinalis has low viscosity and sharp herbal smell; the olfactive qualities of this oil are due to existence of caryophyllene (Chalcat et al., 1998).
The content and composition of S. officinalis essential oil changes according to the surrounding ecological factors as well as to the plant’s development stages (Perry et al., 1999); Santos-Gomes and Fernandes-Ferreira, 2001; Maksimovic et al., 2007).
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Investigation reveals the following problems of the synergistic activity of salvia officinalis (sage leaf) and antibiotics against typhoidal salmonella species research work;
- Improper evaluate of the synergistic activities of S. officinalis against typhoidal salmonella species,
- Lack of proper information relating to the estimation of the total phenol content (TPC) and flavonoid content (FC) of S. Officinalis (Sage Leaf),
- Improper investigation of the gas chromatography (GC) analysis conditions and disc diffusion method used during synergistic activities,
1.3 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the Study is to investigate the synergistic activity of salvia officinalis (sage leaf) and antibiotics against typhoidal salmonella species; In achieving this aim, the following objectives were considered;
- To evaluate the synergistic activities of S. officinalis against typhoidal salmonella species,
- To estimate the Total Phenol Content (TPC) and Flavonoid Content (FC) of S. Officinalis (Sage Leaf),
- To investigate the gas chromatography (GC) analysis conditions and disc diffusion method,
- To provide information relating to the determination of polyphenol.
1.4 Research Questions
The following are the research question of the research work;
- What are the synergistic activity of salvia officinalis (sage leaf) and antibiotics against typhoidal salmonella species?
- What are the antibacterial activities of salvia officinalis essential oil?
1.5 Significance of the Study
This study provides important information on the current status, activities of S. officinalis against typhoidal salmonella species, gas chromatography (GC) analysis conditions and disc diffusion method used during synergistic activity of salvia officinalis (sage leaf) and antibiotics against typhoidal salmonella species.
The output is this study will be important in reducing effect of typhoidal salmonella species on sage leaf. Natural plant products and their analogues have been found as important source of agricultural bio-pesticides which serve as antibiotic properties of the sage plant extracts
Besides, the study will serve as reference material for subsequent researcher in the field or related topics.
1.6 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the activities of S. officinalis against typhoidal salmonella species, gas chromatography (GC) analysis conditions and disc diffusion method used during synergistic activity of salvia officinalis (sage leaf) and antibiotics against typhoidal salmonella species.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
1.8 Definition of Technical Terms
Synergistic: Synergistic is the interaction between two or more substance, it is used to describe things that produce, result from or otherwise involve synergy
Antibiotics / Antibacterial: Antibacterial anything that destroys bacteria or suppresses their growth or their ability to reproduce. Heat, chemicals such as chlorine, and antibiotic drugs all have antibacterial properties.
Activity: the condition in which things are happening or being done.
Constraint: a limitation or restriction.
Estimate: roughly calculate or judge the value, number, quantity, or extent of.
Total: comprising the whole number or amount.
Phenolic: a usually thermosetting resin or plastic made by condensation of a phenol with an aldehyde and used especially for molding and insulating and in coatings and adhesives.
Compound: a thing that is composed of two or more separate elements; a mixture.
Methanol: Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol amongst other names, is a chemical and the simplest alcohol. It is a light, volatile, colourless, flammable liquid with a distinctive alcoholic odour similar to that of ethanol.
