Profiling of in vitro neurobiological effects and phenolic acids of selected endemic Salvia species

► Sixteen Salvia species were investigated for their cholinesterase inhibition for the first time. ► The extracts were tested for their tyrosinase and lipoxygenase inhibitory effect for the first time. ► Phenolic acid profile of the extracts was identified and quantified by HPLC. ► Salvia ekimiana was revealed to be the richest in rosmarinic acid as a new source. ► Phenolic acid profiling is described first time herein for most of the species.