Health Benefits of Traditional Sage and Peppermint Juices: Simple Solutions for Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Support

Sage and peppermint leaves and flowers possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic-regulating properties. This study compared the phenolic profiles confirmed using LC-MS/MS analysis and the biological activities of traditionally prepared sage (SJ) and peppermint juices (PJ), evaluating the...

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Main Authors: Sanja Krstić, Isidora Milanović, Nebojša Stilinović, Saša Vukmirović, Nebojša Pavlović, Sanja Berežni, Milena Rašeta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/7/1182
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author Sanja Krstić
Isidora Milanović
Nebojša Stilinović
Saša Vukmirović
Nebojša Pavlović
Sanja Berežni
Milena Rašeta
author_facet Sanja Krstić
Isidora Milanović
Nebojša Stilinović
Saša Vukmirović
Nebojša Pavlović
Sanja Berežni
Milena Rašeta
author_sort Sanja Krstić
collection DOAJ
description Sage and peppermint leaves and flowers possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic-regulating properties. This study compared the phenolic profiles confirmed using LC-MS/MS analysis and the biological activities of traditionally prepared sage (SJ) and peppermint juices (PJ), evaluating their <i>ex vivo</i> antioxidant enzyme activity and antidiabetic potential in experimental mice. Quinic acid (2571.86 ± 1.15 µg/g dry weight (d.w.)) and apigenin-7-<i>O</i>-β-glucoside (324.36 ± 1.15 µg/g d.w.) were the predominant phenolic compounds in SJ, while PJ contained caffeic acid (16.96 ± 0.12 µg/g d.w.) and quinic acid (184.27 ± 0.45 µg/g d.w.). The administration of SJ and PJ for ten days significantly reduced the blood glucose levels of the mice. Compared to the control group, which showed an increase from 15.89 ± 3.45 to 29.54 ± 8.94 mmoL/L, SJ-20 mg/kg body weight (BW)-treated mice exhibited a more moderate rise (16.25 ± 7.33 to 21.50 ± 10.38 mmoL/L). Juice administration also enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, with PJ-20 mg/kg BW significantly increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (30.15 ± 3.99 U/mg proteins) compared to the control (18.83 ± 2.04 U/mg proteins). Additionally, catalase (CAT) activity was elevated, indicating enhanced oxidative stress defense mechanisms. Furthermore, treatment with SJ-20 mg/kg BW reduced aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (7025.8 ± 1038.8 to 2782 ± 426.9 IU/L) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (10679 ± 1409.2 to 5336.5 ± 801.5 IU/L), suggesting hepatoprotective effects. These results support the traditional use of sage and peppermint juices as functional beverages with antioxidant, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective properties, warranting further clinical investigation.
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spelling doaj-art-51feac795bcd4c8099f6ff28d8646a252025-08-20T02:09:13ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-03-01147118210.3390/foods14071182Health Benefits of Traditional Sage and Peppermint Juices: Simple Solutions for Antioxidant and Antidiabetic SupportSanja Krstić0Isidora Milanović1Nebojša Stilinović2Saša Vukmirović3Nebojša Pavlović4Sanja Berežni5Milena Rašeta6Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, Beethovenstraße 8, 8010 Graz, AustriaDepartment of Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Pharmacy and Ecology, College of Health Sciences, Academy for Applied Studies Belgrade, Cara Dušana 254, 11080 Belgrade, SerbiaDepartment of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaDepartment of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaDepartment of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaDepartment of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaDepartment of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaSage and peppermint leaves and flowers possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic-regulating properties. This study compared the phenolic profiles confirmed using LC-MS/MS analysis and the biological activities of traditionally prepared sage (SJ) and peppermint juices (PJ), evaluating their <i>ex vivo</i> antioxidant enzyme activity and antidiabetic potential in experimental mice. Quinic acid (2571.86 ± 1.15 µg/g dry weight (d.w.)) and apigenin-7-<i>O</i>-β-glucoside (324.36 ± 1.15 µg/g d.w.) were the predominant phenolic compounds in SJ, while PJ contained caffeic acid (16.96 ± 0.12 µg/g d.w.) and quinic acid (184.27 ± 0.45 µg/g d.w.). The administration of SJ and PJ for ten days significantly reduced the blood glucose levels of the mice. Compared to the control group, which showed an increase from 15.89 ± 3.45 to 29.54 ± 8.94 mmoL/L, SJ-20 mg/kg body weight (BW)-treated mice exhibited a more moderate rise (16.25 ± 7.33 to 21.50 ± 10.38 mmoL/L). Juice administration also enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, with PJ-20 mg/kg BW significantly increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (30.15 ± 3.99 U/mg proteins) compared to the control (18.83 ± 2.04 U/mg proteins). Additionally, catalase (CAT) activity was elevated, indicating enhanced oxidative stress defense mechanisms. Furthermore, treatment with SJ-20 mg/kg BW reduced aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (7025.8 ± 1038.8 to 2782 ± 426.9 IU/L) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (10679 ± 1409.2 to 5336.5 ± 801.5 IU/L), suggesting hepatoprotective effects. These results support the traditional use of sage and peppermint juices as functional beverages with antioxidant, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective properties, warranting further clinical investigation.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/7/1182bioactive compoundsfunctional drinksglucose regulationherbal beverages<i>Mentha piperita</i>metabolic health
spellingShingle Sanja Krstić
Isidora Milanović
Nebojša Stilinović
Saša Vukmirović
Nebojša Pavlović
Sanja Berežni
Milena Rašeta
Health Benefits of Traditional Sage and Peppermint Juices: Simple Solutions for Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Support
Foods
bioactive compounds
functional drinks
glucose regulation
herbal beverages
<i>Mentha piperita</i>
metabolic health
title Health Benefits of Traditional Sage and Peppermint Juices: Simple Solutions for Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Support
title_full Health Benefits of Traditional Sage and Peppermint Juices: Simple Solutions for Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Support
title_fullStr Health Benefits of Traditional Sage and Peppermint Juices: Simple Solutions for Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Support
title_full_unstemmed Health Benefits of Traditional Sage and Peppermint Juices: Simple Solutions for Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Support
title_short Health Benefits of Traditional Sage and Peppermint Juices: Simple Solutions for Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Support
title_sort health benefits of traditional sage and peppermint juices simple solutions for antioxidant and antidiabetic support
topic bioactive compounds
functional drinks
glucose regulation
herbal beverages
<i>Mentha piperita</i>
metabolic health
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/7/1182
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