Abstract
Background:
Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by complex microbial biofilms. It has a high prevalence rate and represents a major global health concern.

Aim:
Due to limitations of conventional therapies, phytotherapeutic agents such as Salvia officinalis (sage) are gaining increasing attention because of their antimicrobial and antiinflammatory properties.

Methods:
The antimicrobial activity of an ethanolic extract of S. officinalis was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method. The extract was tested at concentrations of 25, 50, and 75 mg/mL against five periodontal bacterial (Rothia mucilaginosa, Streptococcus acidominimus, Streptococcus gallolyticus, Arcanobacterium haemolyticum, and Gemella morbillorum) and fungal (Candida albicans) isolates. Inhibition zones were measured and statistically compared with tetracycline Augmentin and nystatin.

Results:
The extract demonstrated a concentration-dependent antimicrobial effect that varied among the tested microbes. Significant activity was observed against R. mucilaginosa at 50 and 75 mg/mL, with no significant difference compared with tetracycline (P = 0.132). Similarly, all concentrations showed comparable efficacy against S. acidominimus. In contrast, significantly lower activity was observed against S. gallolyticus, A. haemolyticum, and G. morbillorum (P<0.001). The antifungal effect against C. albicans was also significantly lower than Nystatin (P<0.001).

Conclusion:
Salvia officinalis ethanolic extract demonstrates significant concentration-dependent antibacterial properties against specific bacteria associated with periodontitis. These findings indicate the potential antimicrobial function of Salvia officinalis ethanolic extract against selected oral pathogens; however, additional in vivo studies are required.

Key words: Antimicrobial activity; Candida albicans; Oral bacteria; Periodontal pathogens; Salvia officinalis ethanolic extract.