---

Preclinical and clinical examinations of Salvia miltiorrhiza and its tanshinones in ischemic conditions.

Authors Adams, James David; Wang, Rubin; Yang, Jun; Lien, Eric Jungchi

Journal Chinese medicine , 2006 Nov 23,:1

DOI 10.1186/1749-8546-1-3 PubMed 17302964

Abstract Salvia miltiorrhiza (Labiatae, Laminaceae), danshen, is an annual sage mainly found in China and neighboring countries. The crude drug (dried root) and its preparations are currently used in China to treat patients suffering from heart attack, angina pectoris, stroke and some other conditions. The use of S. miltiorrhiza has been increasing in the management of stroke. Pharmacological examinations showed that the plant and its active ingredients, tanshinones and salvianolic acids, have anticoagulant, vasodilatory, increased blood flow, anti-inflammatory, free radical scavenging, mitochondrial protective and other activities. This review discusses the pharmacology, medicinal chemistry and clinical studies published, especially in China, for danshen and tanshinone preparations. Clinical examinations are evaluated in terms of S. miltiorrhiza preparation, dose, double blinding, control, clinical assessments of outcomes and other parameters. Meta-analyses of S. miltiorrhiza are also discussed.

Species covered 丹参 Salvia miltiorrhiza