Abstract
Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), as an important traditional Chinese medicinal plant, has been used in China for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases for hundreds of years. Salvianolic acids (salvianolic acid A and salvianolic acid B) as the most abundant water-soluble component extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza have attracted more and more attention from cardiovascular scientists due to its comprehensive cardiovascular actions. In vivo and in vitro studies have rendered salvianolic acid an excellent drug candidate for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we surveyed the protective effects of salvianolic acid A and salvianolic acid B against cardiovascular diseases and the pharmacological basis, providing a strong scientific rationale for elucidating the important role of Salvia miltiorrhiza in cardiovascular therapy. More importantly, we also hope to provide new inspiration and perspectives on the development and innovation of small-molecule cardiovascular drugs based on salvianolic acid.
Highlights
Cardiovascular disease, as one of the major noncommunicable chronic diseases that threaten human health and affect quality of life around the globe, has increasing incidence nowadays, with high rates of disability and mortality rate [1,2,3]
reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity of salvianolic acid mediates its protective effect on cardiomyocytes against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, through salvianolic acid A (SalA)-induced transition of HO⋅ produced by electron transfer on doxorubicin cysteine free radicals to H2O2 as the end product [39]
Yang et al showed that SalA improves endothelial homeostasis and reduces permeability by modulating tight junction protein ZO-1 and actin cytoskeletal reorganization and reducing ROS in HUVECs exposed to ischemic reperfusion injury
Summary
Cardiovascular disease, as one of the major noncommunicable chronic diseases that threaten human health and affect quality of life around the globe, has increasing incidence nowadays, with high rates of disability and mortality rate [1,2,3]. Chinese herbal medicine is a valuable resource to identify new small-molecule drugs against human disease. One of the most successful examples is the identification of several herbs or herbal extracts, as effective drugs to treat cardiovascular disease, which “improves blood circulation,” based on the TCM theory and practice to treatment of “blood stasis.”. We systematically surveyed the research progress of the protective effect of salvianolic acids (both SalA and SalB) on blood vessels and vascular cells, with a focus on its regulation of vascular endothelium and smooth muscle and signaling pathways related to oxidative stress, aiming to provide a scientific basis for understanding the traditional use of Salvia miltiorrhiza in vascular protection
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