Salvia miltiorrhiza.  丹 参 Dān shēn- "Red root"   Red Sage root   Family: Labiatae     
PART USED: Root- The root is a deep dark red when first harvested.
Nature- cool     FLAVOR: Bitter.  CHANNEL: Heart, Pericardium, Liver
FUNCTIONS
GROUP: Regulate Blood and removing Stasis
1. Invigorating blood circulation and removing blood stasis- eg bruises.[1,2,3,4] Aids granulation (repair).[1]
2. Calm Spirit disturbed by Blood Deficiency. Tranquilizing the disturbed mind by under nourished blood. Nourish the Heart. Relieve mental depression.
3. Regulate menstruation.[1]
4. Cooling the blood. Clears Heat.[4]
5. Treating carbuncles. Expel coagulation, relieve pain.
ACTIONS: Dilates blood vessels.[4]
INDICATIONS
1. Blood stasis. Cool in nature, it is especially effective for diseases due to Blood stasis accompanied with Heat in the blood, as in the following symptoms:
   a) Angina.[1,2,3,4] Hypochondriac pain, coronary heart disease, thromboangitis obliterans (loss of circulation to extremities due to inflammation of arteries). Angina due to blockage in Heart channel[4].
   b) Abdominal pain,[1] stomach ache.
   c) Irregular menstruation.[1] Dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea,[1,2,3] abnormal menstrual flow.[1]
   d) Trauma with Blood stasis.
2. Sores, carbuncles and other pyogenic skin infections. Hives.[1]
3. Neurasthenia and insomnia due to impairment of Yin and Yin by  pathogenic Heat.[1] Neurasthenia: Agitated, palpitations, insomnia, restlessness, chest distress, P- rapid and weak, souls of feet palm of hands and face hot (5 hearts hot), T- no coat, red body due to Blood not nourishing Heart.[4]
4. Hepatosplenomegaly- swelling of Liver and Spleen, and ectopic pregnancy. Hepatitis.[1] Pain in ribs (intercostal neuralgia), chronic hepatitis, early stage of liver cirrhosis and enlargement of Spleen and Liver:[4] pain is severe, Yin deficientcy and poor circulation, P- weak, intermittent, hidden.
5. Mastitis.[1]
6. Thrombosis[4] with slight pain, mild varicose veins etc.
7. High blood pressure.[4]
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Bleeding.[4]
PATENT COMBINATIONS
- Stagnation of Qi and Blood stasis in the middle and upper Heater: Quickens the Blood and dispels Blood stasis, moves the Qi and alleviates pain Salvia Combination- Dan shen yin.
- Damp heat in the Liver with the Liver attaching the Spleen, Liver Qi stagnation and Spleen Qi deficiency:Spreads the Liver Qi and harmonises the Liver and the Spleen, clears Damp Heat, clears Heat and resolves Toxicity Liver Tonic- Guo tai hu gan jiao nang.    
- Blood stagnation with Qi, Blood and Yin deficiency: Tonifies Qi and Nourishes Blood, removes Blood Stasis and promotes circulation Salvia & Notoginseng- Huo xue tong mai pian. 
- Nutritive level Heat patterns with consumption of Yin or body Fluid: Clears Heat from the Nutritive level and resolves Toxicity  Rehmannia, Figwort & Forsythia- Qing ying tang.
- Blood Stagnation: Quickens the Blood and dispels Blood stasis to relieve pain Typhya & Salvia- Shi xiao wan.  
- Yin deficiency of the Heart and Kidney with Yin deficiency Fire: Nourishes the Yin tonifies the Heart, clears deficiency Heat, nourishes the Blood the calms the Shen Ginseng & Ziziphus- Tian wang bu xin wan.
- Qi and Blood stagnation: Quickens the Blood and dispels Blood stasis, regulates the Qi, alleviates pain, nourishes the Blood Danggui & Notoginseng- Tong jing wan.   
COMBINATIONS
- Sores carbuncles and other pyogenic skin infections- + Honeysuckle flower, Forsythia fruit, Frankincense and Myrrh.[3]
PREPARATIONS: Roots and rhizomes. 5-15 g, decocted in water for an oral dose. For thromboangitis obliterans and arthritis of Heat type, the maximum dosage can be 30-60 g.
Red sage root stir baked with wine has a stronger effect for promoting blood circulation and eliminating blood stasis.[3] Dried root and rhizomes 9-15 g.[1,2] Used as injection.[4]

HABITAT: Grows on the sunny side of hillsides and stream edges.
DESCRIPTION: Perennial herb. Root-cylindrical, scarlet red. Stem; erect, 40-60 cm tall, multi-branching, rhomboid, greenish-purple, grooved, densely pubescent. Leaves; opposite, oddly pinnate compound, leaflets ovate-round to oval-round, apexes acute, bases rounded, margins finely serrated. Flowers; in the summer, bluish-purple terminal, forming a racemose inflorescence.
References

Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Research

Salvia miltiorrhiza: Traditional medicinal uses, chemistry, and pharmacology.
Su CY, Ming QL, Rahman K, Han T, Qin LP.
Abstract
Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (SM) is a very popular medicinal plant that has been extensively applied for many years to treat various diseases, especially coronary heart diseases and cerebrovascular diseases, either alone or in combination with other Chinese plant-based medicines. Although a large number of studies on SM have been performed, they are scattered across a variety of publications. The present review is an up-to-date summary of the published scientific information about the traditional uses, chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, side effects, and drug interactions with SM, in order to lay the foundation for further investigations and better utilization of SM. SM contains diverse chemical components including diterpenoid quinones, hydrophilic phenolic acids, and essential oils. Many pharmacological studies have been done on SM during the last 30 years, focusing on the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular effects, and the antioxidative, neuroprotective, antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic activities. The research results strongly support the notion that SM has beneficial therapeutic properties and has a potential of being an effective adaptogenic remedy.
PMID: 25835361 DOI: 10.1016/S1875-5364(15)30002-9 Chin J Nat Med. 2015 Mar;13(3):163-82. doi: 10.1016/S1875-5364(15)30002-9. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pharmacological effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) on cerebral infarction
Tsai-Hui Lin and Ching-Liang Hsiehcorresponding author
Abstract
Danshen, the dried root of Salvia miltiorrhiza, is a Chinese medicine used to promote blood flow and treat vascular disease. The present article reviews the pharmacological effects of Danshen on cerebral infarction and possible interactions between Danshen and Western drugs. Danshen may reduce or prolong the development of atherosclerosis and may have anti-hypertensive and anti-platelet aggregation effects, which prevent cerebral infarction. Danshen may enhance endogenous anti-oxidative enzyme activities such as the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and may scavenge oxygen free radicals. Prevention and treatment of cerebral infarction by Danshen involves multiple pathways, including anti-atherosclerosis, anti-hypertension, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects.
Chin Med. 2010; 5: 22.
Published online 2010 Jun 21. doi: 10.1186/1749-8546-5-22
PMCID: PMC2910010
PMID: 20565944 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of the aqueous extract of Salvia Miltiorrhiza (danshen) and its magnesium tanshinoate B-enriched form on blood pressure.
Leung SW, Zhu DY, Man RY.
Abstract
Danshen is the dried root and rhizome of the Chinese medicinal plant Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Labiatae), which has been used to treat hypertension and myocardial infarction. One of its water-soluble active components is magnesium tanshinoate B (MTB). The present study examined and compared the cardiovascular effects of the water-soluble extract of danshen (SME) and its MTB-enriched form (containing 70% of MTB (MTB70)). Anaesthetized rats were infused intravenously with saline or phenylephrine to achieve a normal or elevated blood pressure, respectively. Different doses of SME, MTB70 or vehicle were then injected intravenously and their effect on blood pressure was monitored. The results indicate that SME and MTB70 reduce blood pressure dose-dependently. Independently of the initial blood pressure, SME caused a smaller reduction in blood pressure than MTB70. In rats infused with phenylephrine, MTB70 caused greater decreases in blood pressure than in rats infused with saline, while the responses to SME did not differ between the two groups. From these findings, it appears that MTB is one of the major components responsible for the cardiovascular effects of danshen, and that the beneficial cardiovascular effect of the extract is more prominent under conditions of elevated blood pressure.
PMID: 19943333 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.3047
Phytother Res. 2010 May;24(5):769-74. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3047. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Herb-drug interactions with Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza): a review on the role of cytochrome P450 enzymes.
Zhou X, Chan K, Yeung JH.
Abstract
Danshen, the dried root and rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, is a widely used medicinal plant for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in China and a complementary medicine in the West. Danshen is indexed in the 2010 Chinese Pharmacopoeia, with more than 35 formulations and concoctions containing Danshen water-extracts, ethanolic extracts or their combination, which are rich in phenolic acids and different levels of tanshinones. There are rare reports on the adverse effects of Danshen preparations. It is, however, well-known that Danshen leads the anticoagulation failure of warfarin. The Danshen-warfarin interaction may be mediated via both pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic mechanisms. This review does not summarize recent progress, but the effects of Danshen and its active ingredients on the interactions of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) and drug transporters, as well as the analysis of ingredients, and the metabolism and pharmacokinetics that are related to these interactions. Tanshinones play significant roles in the inhibition and induction of several CYP450 isozymes. It can be concluded that precautions should be taken when using Danshen preparations rich in tanshinones for CYP-related herb-drug interactions.
PMID: 22718621 DOI: 10.1515/dmdi-2011-0038
[Indexed for MEDLINE] Drug Metabol Drug Interact. 2012 Mar 2;27(1):9-18. doi: 10.1515/dmdi-2011-0038. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Salvia miltiorrhiza: an ancient Chinese herbal medicine as a source for anti-osteoporotic drugs.
Guo Y, Li Y, Xue L, Severino RP, Gao S, Niu J, Qin LP, Zhang D, Brömme D.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:
Red sage (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge), also known as Danshen in Chinese, has been used historically and is currently exploited in combination with other herbs to treat skeletal diseases in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). With the advance of modern analytical technology, a multitude of bone-targeting, pharmaceutically active, compounds has been isolated and characterized from various sources of TCM including those produced in Salvia miltiorrhiza root. The aim of the review is to provide a comprehensive overview about the historical TCM interpretation of the action of Salvia miltiorrhiza in osteoporosis, its use clinical trials, its main phytochemical constituents, and its action on bone-resorptive and bone formation-stimulating mechanisms in in vitro and in vivo studies.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Literature sources used were Pubmed, CNKI.net, Cqvip.com, PubChem, and the Web of Science. For the inquiry, keywords such as Salvia, danshen, osteoporosis, bone, osteoclast and osteoblast were used in various combinations. About 130 research papers and reviews were consulted.
RESULTS:
In TCM, the anti-osteopororotic effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza is ascribed to its action on liver and blood stasis as main therapeutic targets defining osteoporosis. 36 clinical trials were identified which used Salvia miltiorrhiza in combination with other herbs and components to treat post-menopausal, senile, and secondary osteoporosis. On average the trials were characterized by high efficacy (>80%) and low toxicity problems. However, various limitations such as small patient samples, short treatment duration, frequent lack of detailed numerical data, and no clear endpoints must be taken into consideration. To date, more than 100 individual compounds have been isolated from this plant and tested in various animal models and biochemical assays. Compounds display anti-resorptive and bone formation-stimulating features targeting different pathways in the bone remodeling cycle. Pathways affected include the activation of osteoblasts, the modulation of osteoclastogenesis, and the inhibition of collagen degradation by cathepsin K.
CONCLUSIONS:
The inclusion of Salvia miltiorrhiza in more than 30% of all herbal clinical trials successfully targeting osteoporosis has stimulated significant interest in the identification and characterization of individual constituents of this herb. The review highlights the anti-osteoporotic potential of Salvia miltiorrhiza in clinical applications and the potential of the herb to provide potent compounds targeting specific pathways in bone resorption and bone formation.
PMID: 25109459 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.07.058 J Ethnopharmacol. 2014 Sep 29;155(3):1401-16. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.07.058. Epub 2014 Aug 7. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The anticancer properties of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen): a systematic review.
Chen X, Guo J, Bao J, Lu J, Wang Y.
Abstract
Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen in Chinese) is a classical Huoxue Huayu (a traditional Chinese medical term means promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis) herb with 1000 years of clinical application. It mainly contains two groups of ingredients: the hydrophilic phenolic acids and the lipophilic tanshinones. Both groups have demonstrated multiple bioactivities, such as antioxidative stress, antiplatelet aggregation, anti-inflammation, among others. Recent data have demonstrated that its lipophilic compounds, especially the tanshinones, show potent anticancer activities both in vitro and in vivo. The anticancer effects of the hydrophilic phenolic acids have also been reported. Furthermore, tanshinones provide structural skeletons for chemical modifications, allowing for a series of derivatives of interests. This review provides a systematic summary of the anticancer profile and the underlying mechanisms of the bioactive compounds isolated from Danshen with special emphasis on tanshinones, aiming to bring new insights for further research and development of this ancient herb.
PMID: 24123144 DOI: 10.1002/med.21304 Med Res Rev. 2014 Jul;34(4):768-94. doi: 10.1002/med.21304. Epub 2013 Oct 7. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) on warfarin pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of warfarin enantiomers in rats.
Chan K, Lo AC, Yeung JH, Woo KS.
Abstract
The effects of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), a popular traditional Chinese medicinal herb on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of R- and S-warfarin stereoisomers were studied in rats. After a single oral dose of racemic warfarin (2 mg kg-1), treatment with oral Danshen extract (5 g kg-1, twice daily) for 3 days significantly altered the overall pharmacokinetics of both R- and S-warfarin and increased the plasma concentrations of both enantiomers over a period of 24 h and the prothrombin time over 2 days. At steady-state levels of racemic warfarin (0.2 mg kg-1 day-1 for 5 days) the 3-day treatment of Danshen extract (5 g kg-1, twice daily) not only prolonged the prothrombin time but also increased the steady-state plasma concentrations of R- and S-warfarin. The results indicate that Danshen extracts can increase the absorption rate constant, area under plasma concentration-time curves, maximum concentrations and elimination half-lives, but decreases the clearances and apparent volume of distribution of both R- and S-warfarin. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of warfarin during co-treatment with Danshen extract observed in this study indicate an explanation for the clinically observed incidents of exaggerated warfarin adverse effects when traditional Chinese medicinal herbs or herbal products such as Danshen and Danggui (observed in a previous study) were co-administered.
PMID: 7494191 J Pharm Pharmacol. 1995 May;47(5):402-6. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The anti-hypertensive effect of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) and Gegen (Pueraria lobata) formula in rats and its underlying mechanisms of vasorelaxation.
Ng CF, Koon CM, Cheung DW, Lam MY, Leung PC, Lau CB, Fung KP.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:
Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae (Danshen) and Radix Puerariae lobatae (Gegen) have long been used in traditional Chinese Medicine and serve as the principal herbs in treating cardiovascular disease.
AIMS OF THE STUDY:
In the present study, an aqueous extract comprising Danshen and Gegen in the ratio of 7:3 (DG) was investigated for its anti-hypertension in vivo and vasodilative activities ex vivo.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
The anti-hypertensive effect of DG extract was investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) by measuring systolic blood pressure (SBP). Oral administration of DG extract was started at age of 6 weeks and 14 weeks for the preventive and therapeutic studies, respectively. Blood pressure was measured by tail-cuff method biweekly for 12 weeks. The ex vivo vasodilative activities of DG extract, its dependency on endothelium and the involvement of nitric oxide, prostacyclin and potassium channels were investigated using isolated rat aorta ring in organ bath.
RESULTS:
For in vivo study, systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced in DG extract-treated groups (90.2 and 300 mg/kg) as compared with the SHR control in both preventive and therapeutic studies. However, DG extract was unable to suppress or delay the onset of hypertension in the preventive study. For ex vivo study, the results showed that DG extract induced a concentration-dependent relaxation in aorta and persisted response was observed with the removal of endothelium. Besides, pretreatment with a non-selective potassium channel inhibitor tetraethylammonium (TEA) also significantly inhibited DG extract-induced vasodilation. Further investigations on specific potassium channel blockers revealed that ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel inhibitor glibenclamide, inward rectifier potassium (Kir) inhibitor barium chloride and voltage-dependent potassium (K(v)) channel inhibitor 4-aminopyridine, but not BK(Ca) channel inhibitor iberiotoxin, exerted significant inhibition on DG extract-induced vasodilation.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results of in vivo SHR animal model suggested that DG aqueous extract possessed blood pressure lowering effect on both pre- and post-hypertensive rats, which could be explained by its endothelium-independent vasodilation via the opening of K(ATP), Kir and K(v) channels.
PMID: 21855622 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.08.006 J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Oct 11;137(3):1366-72. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.08.006. Epub 2011 Aug 9. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) injection suppresses kidney injury induced by iron overload in mice.
Guan S, Ma J, Zhang Y, Gao Y, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Wang N, Xie Y, Wang J, Zhang J, Chu L.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
Excessive iron can accumulate in the kidney and induce tissue damage. Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) injection is a traditional Chinese medicinal preparation used for preventing and treating chronic renal failure. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of treatment with Danshen injection on iron overload-induced kidney damage.
METHODS:
Mice were mock-treated with saline (control group) or given a single dose of iron dextran without treatment (iron overload group, 50 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks) or with daily treatments of low-dose Danshen (3 g/kg/day), high-dose Danshen (6 g/kg/day) or deferoxamine (100 mg/kg/day).
RESULTS:
Treatment of iron-overloaded mice with Danshen injection led to significant improvements of body weight and decreased iron levels in the kidney. Danshen injection treatment also reduced concentrations of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and malondialdehyde and enhanced glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities. Histopathological examinations showed that Danshen injection ameliorated pathological changes and reduced iron deposition in kidneys of iron overloaded mice. Furthermore, the treatment was demonstrated to suppress apoptosis in nephrocytes.
CONCLUSIONS:
These results indicated that Danshen injection exerted significant renal protective effects in iron-overloaded mice, which were closely associated with the decrease of iron deposition and suppression of lipid peroxidation and apoptosis in the kidney.
PMID: 24066136 PMCID: PMC3774616 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074318 PLoS One. 2013 Sep 16;8(9):e74318. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074318. eCollection 2013. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen) extract attenuates permanent cerebral ischemia through inhibiting platelet activation in rats.
Fei YX, Wang SQ, Yang LJ, Qiu YY, Li YZ, Liu WY, Xi T, Fang WR, Li YM.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:
Danshen is a crude herbal drug isolated from dried roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. This plant is widely used in oriental medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The supercritical CO2 extract from Danshen (SCED) (57.85%, 5.67% and 4.55% for tanshinone IIA, tanshinone I and cryptotanshinone respectively) was studied in this article, whose potential molecular mechanism remains unclear, especially in anti-thrombosis.
AIM OF THE STUDY:
The present study was designed to observe the protective effect of SCED on ischemic stroke in rats and to explore the underlying anti-thrombosis mechanism.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Following induction of cerebral ischemia in rats by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO). Neurological defect score, cerebral blood flow, infarct size, and brain edema were measured to evaluate the injury. Arteriovenous shunt thrombosis model and adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) induced acute pulmonary embolism model were conducted to estimate the antithrombotic effect of SCED. In order to investigate the effects of SCED on platelet aggregation, rat platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) were incubated with SCED prior to the addition of the stimuli (ADP or 9, 11-dideoxy-11α, 9α-epoxymethanoprostaglandin F2α (U46619)). Aggregation was monitored in a light transmission aggregometer. Inhibitory effect of SCED on thromboxane A2 (TXA2) release was detected by ELISA kit. Phospholipase C (PLC)/ Protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathway was analyzed by a Western blot technique. The effect of the SCED was also studied in vivo on bleeding time in mice.
RESULTS:
SCED improved the neurological defect score, increased cerebral blood flow, reduced infarct size and alleviated brain edema in rats exposed to pMCAO. After administration of SCED, thrombosis formation in arteriovenous shunt was inhibited and recovery time in pulmonary embolism was shortened. The inhibitory effect of SCED on platelet activation was further confirmed by TXB2 ELISA kit and Western blot analysis of PLC/PKC signaling pathway.
CONCLUSIONS:
SCED attenuates cerebral ischemic injury. The possible mechanism is that SCED inhibits thrombosis formation, platelet aggregation and activation of PLC/PKC pathway. On this basis, this new extract could be a promising agent to inhibit thrombosis formation and protect against cerebral ischemia injury.
PMID: 28645780 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.06.023 J Ethnopharmacol. 2017 Jul 31;207:57-66. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.06.023. Epub 2017 Jun 20. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tanshinones from Chinese medicinal herb Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge) suppress prostate cancer growth and androgen receptor signaling.
Zhang Y, Won SH, Jiang C, Lee HJ, Jeong SJ, Lee EO, Zhang J, Ye M, Kim SH, Lü J.
Abstract
PURPOSE:
To test whether tanshinones inhibit prostate cancer (PCa) growth at least in part through inhibiting androgen receptor (AR) signaling.
METHODS:
We evaluated cell growth, survival and AR signaling parameters of PCa cells after exposure to tanshinones in in vitro models. We also tested the in vivo inhibitory efficacy of tanshinone IIA (TIIA) against LNCaP xenograft model in athymic nude mice.
RESULTS:
For androgen-dependent LNCaP cells, a colony growth assay showed strong inhibitory potency following the order of TIIA≈cryptotanshinone>tanshinone I, being 10-30 folds higher than Casodex (racemic). TIIA inhibited growth of LNCaP cells more than several androgen-independent PCa cell lines. All 3 tested tanshinones were devoid of AR agonist activity under castrate condition. Mechanistically, tanshinones inhibited AR nuclear translocation within 2 h, decreased protein and mRNA abundance of AR and its target prostate-specific antigen within 12 h, and stimulated proteosomal degradation of AR. Oral administration of TIIA (25 mg/kg, once daily) retarded LNCaP xenograft growth and down-regulated tumor AR abundance in athymic nude mice.
CONCLUSION:
AR targeting action of tanshinones was distinct from Casodex and contributed to prostate cancer growth suppression in vitro and in vivo.
PMID: 22281759 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-012-0670-3 Pharm Res. 2012 Jun;29(6):1595-608. doi: 10.1007/s11095-012-0670-3. Epub 2012 Jan 27. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aqueous extract of danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge) protects ovariectomized rats fed with high-fat diet from endothelial dysfunction.
Li CM, Dong XL, Fan XD, Wu JH, Wang QH, Tian XL, Guo DJ, Wong MS, Qiu TQ, Chan SW.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in postmenopausal women. Danshen, the dried root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, has been used clinically in China to treat CVD and dyslipidemia in postmenopausal women, and its major active ingredients have been found to have an estrogenic effect. The aim of this study was to elucidate the underlying mechanism of danshen's protective effects on vascular function in an ovariectomized (OVX) hyperlipidemic rat model.
METHODS:
Thirty-five 6-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham-operated rats with low-fat control diet + vehicle, sham-operated rats with high-fat diet (HFD) + vehicle, OVX rats with HFD + vehicle, OVX rats with HFD + 17β-estradiol (1 mg kg d, PO), and OVX rats with HFD + danshen aqueous extract (600 mg kg d, PO). After 12 weeks of treatment, gains in body weight and serum lipid profile levels in rats were measured and histological examination of livers was carried out. Vascular function was evaluated by measuring relaxation responses. Molecular mechanisms were also analyzed in isolated aorta.
RESULTS:
Treatment with danshen aqueous extract reduced body weight gain, improved serum lipid profiles, and prevented formation of fatty liver induced by HFD and OVX. In addition, danshen could increase endothelial-dependent vasorelaxation and displayed vasoprotection in OVX rats fed with HFD, primarily by stimulating nitric oxide (NO) production, up-regulating the mRNA expression of endothelial NO synthase, and down-regulating the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor α, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in the isolated aortas.
CONCLUSIONS:
We conclude for the first time that danshen aqueous extract could protect OVX rats fed with HFD from endothelial dysfunction. Its effect may be related to its abilities to normalize serum lipid profiles and enhance NO availability in the vascular system. Our findings indicate that danshen aqueous extract could be a promising natural supplement for postmenopausal women for preventing CVD.
PMID: 22914206 DOI: 10.1097/gme.0b013e31825b512d Menopause. 2013 Jan;20(1):100-9. doi: 10.1097/gme.0b013e31825b512d. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Salvia miltiorrhiza (dan shen) significantly ameliorates colon inflammation in dextran sulfate sodium induced colitis.
Wen XD, Wang CZ, Yu C, Zhang Z, Calway T, Wang Y, Li P, Yuan CS.
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease increases the risks of human colorectal cancer. In this study, the effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza extract (SME) on chemically-induced colitis in a mouse model were evaluated. Chemical composition of SME was determined by HPLC analysis. A/J mice received a single injection of AOM 7.5 mg/kg. After one week, these mice received 2.5% DSS for eight days, or DSS plus SME (25 or 50 mg/kg). DSS-induced colitis was scored with the disease activity index (DAI). Body weight and colon length were also measured. The severity of inflammatory lesions was further evaluated by colon tissue histological assessment. HPLC assay showed that the major constituents in the tested SME were danshensu, protocatechuic aldehyde, salvianolic acid D, and salvianolic acid B. In the model group, the DAI score reached its highest level on Day 8, while the SME group on both doses showed a significantly reduced DAI score (both p < 0.01). As an objective index of the severity of inflammation, colon length was significantly shorter in the model group than the vehicle group. Treatment with 25 and 50 mg/kg of SME inhibited the shortening of colon in a dose-related manner (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). SME groups also significantly reduced weight reduction (p < 0.05). Colitis histological data supported the pharmacological observations. Thus, Salvia miltiorrhiza could be a promising candidate in preventing and treating colitis and in reducing the risks of inflammation-associated colorectal cancer.
PMID: 24117071 PMCID: PMC3971063 DOI: 10.1142/S0192415X13500742 Am J Chin Med. 2013;41(5):1097-108. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X13500742. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov