Salvia Miltiorrhiza

Salvia miltiorrhiza (S. miltiorrhiza), commonly known as red sage, Chinese sage, or danshen, is a perennial plant from the Salvia genus, esteemed for its significant role in traditional Chinese medicine due to its beneficial roots. Originating from China and Japan, this plant thrives at elevations ranging from 90 to 1,200 meters. Notably, the name "miltiorrhiza" derives from Latin, meaning "red juice extracted from a root", which reflects the plant's characteristic root extract.

Phytochemical investigations have identified a range of bioactive compounds within S. miltiorrhiza. These include water-soluble phenolic acids such as Danshensu and salvianolic acid, alongside lipid-soluble diterpenoids like tanshinone analogs. Additionally, the plant contains flavonoids and sterols, compounds renowned for their potential health benefits. These diverse chemical constituents underpin the extensive use of S. miltiorrhiza in herbal medicine, where it is utilized for its reputed therapeutic properties.

Salvianolic acid A

Salvianolic acid A is a prominent stilbenoid compound renowned for its potent oxygen free radical scavenging properties, which significantly contribute to its diverse biological effects. Among its numerous therapeutic actions, salvianolic acid A showcases remarkable antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antithrombotic, and antiplatelet activities. In cardiovascular research, it is highlighted for its substantial protective effect against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction. Additionally, oral administration of salvianolic acid A has been shown to enhance glucose metabolism, mitigate oxidative damage, and preserve vascular responsiveness in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ).

Salvianolic acid B

Salvianolic acid B, the most abundant water-soluble phenolic acid extracted from the root of S. miltiorrhiza, has garnered significant attention for its wide-ranging pharmacological properties. It exhibits pronounced anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-apoptotic effects. Research demonstrates that salvianolic acid B can mitigate ischemia-reperfusion-induced brain injuries in rats by inhibiting the expression of COX, ERK, TNF-α, and NO. Additionally, it effectively combats non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) by modulating oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, and exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic actions.

Danshensu

Danshensu, is a significant water-soluble phenolic compound derived from the dried root of Salvia miltiorrhiza. This compound is renowned for its anxiolytic-like, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and antioxidant properties. One of its notable mechanisms of action involves enhancing the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which helps mitigate oxidative damage induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). In addition, Danshensu has been shown to reduce dopaminergic neuronal loss caused by 6-OHDA in zebrafish models.

Tanshinone IIA

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), a pharmacologically active compound derived from the roots and rhizomes of Danshen, is a natural diterpene quinone known for its diverse biological activities. Notably, Tanshinone IIA acts as a partial agonist of estrogen receptors and possesses antiandrogenic properties. Research highlights its significant neuroprotective benefits, particularly against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and spinal cord traumatic injury in rats. Additionally, Tan IIA exhibits strong anti-leukemia, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative effects. It effectively inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6α, and TNF-α, positioning it as a promising candidate for developing therapeutic agents to treat various inflammatory and oxidative stress-related conditions.

Magnesium lithospermate B

Magnesium lithospermate B (MLB) is a key bioactive component of S. miltiorrhiza, widely recognized for its beneficial properties in treating heart diseases due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-proliferative, and anti-fibrotic effects. Extensive scientific research indicates that MLB can offer protection against stroke, myocardial infarction, and depression. Additionally, MLB has been shown to protect against neuroinflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in BV2 microglial cells and to inhibit the inflammatory response by blocking the nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway in activated T cells.

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