Study on components efficacy of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma based on systematic traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

This paper aimed to establish efficacy systems of tanshinones and salvianolic acids, two representative substances in Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma by using literature mining and biological network construction, based on systematic traditional Chinese medicine theory. The systematic study on the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine was carried out from the basic unit, the structure and relationship between the basic units, the boundary of the research object and the function of the system, so as to explain the overall efficacy of the two kinds of components at the molecular level. Firstly, we collected the elements of the efficacy systems of these two kinds of components by literature mining, and defined their boundaries based on biological processes. After that, the structure of the efficacy systems was clarified according to the relationship in the KEGG database. Finally, the function of the efficacy systems was analyzed from the level of pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy, revealing the scientific connotation of traditional Chinese medicine efficacy system. The results showed that there were 201 targets(elements), 12 target sets(boundary), and 12 pathway networks(structure) in salvianolic acids' efficacy system. Meanwhile, there were 189 targets(elements), 11 target sets(boundary), and 11 pathway networks(structure) in tanshinones' efficacy system. The results suggested that the functions of salvia-nolic acids' and tanshinones' efficacy systems were different in pharmacology and pharmacodynamics from aspects of elements, boundary, relationship and structure, but they were same in functional level as both of them could promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, clear away heart-fire, relieve restlessness, and soothe the nerves. Based on systematic traditional Chinese medicine, we constructed the efficacy system of two representative components in Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in this paper, elucidated the overall efficacy and builded the bridge between reductionism and holism in traditional Chinese medicine.

Effects of different nitrogen sources on accumulation of active components in hairy roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Salvia castanea f. tomentosa / 中草药

Objective: Nitrogen is an important element affecting the accumulation of effective components in Chinese medicinal materials. The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of different nitrogen sources on the growth and active components accumulation of hairy roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Salvia castanea f. tomentosa. Methods: The hairy roots of S. miltiorrhiza and S. castanea f. tomentosa were treated with ammonium nitrate, hydrolyzed milk protein, peptone, beef extract, casein and yeast extract, respectively. The growth of hairy roots and the accumulation of active components were analyzed. Results: Ammonium nitrate was the most beneficial to the growth of the two kinds of hairy roots. Hydrolyzed milk protein significantly promoted the accumulation of salvianolic acids, compared with ammonium nitrate, the contents of rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B in S. miltiorrhiza were respectively increased by 2.94 times and 3.27 times, and the contents of rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B in S. castanea f. tomentosa were respectively increased by 13.74 times and 2.01 times. Yeast extract had the most significant effect on the accumulation of dihydrotanshinone I and cryptotanshinone in two kinds of hairy roots. Hydrolyzed milk protein significantly promoted the accumulation of tanshinone IIA in the hairy roots of S. miltiorrhiza, while beef extract had the most significant effect on the accumulation of tanshinone IIA in S. castanea f. tomentosa. Conclusion: Ammonium nitrate was the best nitrogen source for the growth of two kinds of hairy roots, and hydrolyzed milk protein was the best nitrogen source for salvianolic acids accumulation. The effects of different nitrogen sources on four kinds of tanshinones were different, and the responses of S. miltiorrhiza and S. castanea f. tomentosa to different nitrogen sources were also different. This study not only has certain guiding significance for large-scale cultivation of hairy roots of S. miltiorrhiza and industrialized production of active components, but also provides a reference for the development and utilization of S. castanea f. tomentosa resources.

Study on application of salvianolic acids reference extract in quality control of Salvia miltiorrhiza and salvianolic acids for injection / 中国中药杂志

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of the salvianolic acids reference extract for quality control for Salvia miltiorrhiza and salvianolic acids for injection. An Agilent ZORBAX SB-C18( 4. 6 mm×250 mm,5 μm) column was used with mobile phase consisting of 0. 1% formic acid-water and 0. 1% formic acid-acetonitrile in gradient elution procedure. The column temperature was 30 ℃; the flow rate was 1 m L·min-1; and the detection wavelength was 288 nm. The content of rosmarinic acid,lithospermic acid and salvianolic acid B in S. miltiorrhiza was determined by using the salvianolic acids reference extract as control substance. The content of caffeic acid,salvianolic acid E,rosmarinic acid,lithospermic acid,salvianolic acid B,and salvianolic acid Y in the salvianolic acids for injection was also determined. The linear relationship between chemicals was good( r>0. 998 9),and the injection precision RSD was 0. 30%-0. 90%. The sexual RSD is between 1. 4% and 3. 0%,and the RSD of the reproducibility of the extract is between 2. 1% and 5. 2%. The recovery rate of the three components in S. miltiorrhiza was 96. 80%-99. 20%,and the recovery rate of the six components in salvianolic acids for injection was 88. 90%-107. 5%. The solution of S. miltiorrhiza and salvianolic acids for injection were stable within 48 h. A total of 8 batches of S. miltiorrhiza and injection were determined by the reference extract,and the difference was smaller than that measured by the monomer control. This study preliminarily verified that the salvianolic acids reference extract can be used as a substitute for the monomer control for the quality control of S. miltiorrhiza and salvianolic acids for injection.

Quality control of Chinese materia medica injection based on Q-marker-- Taking salvianolic acids for injection as an example / 中草药

Based on the concept of quality marker (Q-marker) and the application of Q-marker in traditional Chinese medicine, the quality control methods of Chinese materia medica injections were put forward, taking salvianolic acids for injection as an example. Through the analysis of components, efficacy and pharmacokinetics, it has been identified that the Q-marker of salvianolic acids for injection were salvianolic acid B, rosmarinic acid, lithospermic acid, salvianolic acid D, and salvianolic acid Y. The quality control system of multi-index content determination, fingerprint, near infrared on-line control, and biological quality control was established with Q-marker as the core. It provides a reference for the new ideas of quality control of Chinese materia medica injection.

Salvianolic acids improve liver lipid metabolism in ovariectomized rats via blocking STAT-3/SREBP1 signaling / 中国天然药物

Postmenopausal women, who have reduced circulating estrogen levels, are more prone to develop obesity and related metabolic diseases than premenopausal women. The absence of safe and effective treatments for postmenopausal obesity has changed the focus to natural products as alternative remedies. Total salvianolic acids (TSA) are the major water-soluble ingredients of Danshen. Salvianolic acid (SA) is the major constituent of the TSA. Salvianolic acids, including TSA and SA, are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. In the present study, ovariectomized rats and LO2 cells were used to study the effects of salvianolic acids on body weight gain and hepatic steatosis. Salvianolic acids reduced ovariectomy (OVX)-induced body weight gain, attenuated the expressions of hepatic lipogenic genes, such as sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)1, fatty acid synthase (FAS), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD)1, and decreased the liver triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC). For the molecular mechanisms, OVX and high glucose-induced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3 was inhibited by salvianolic acids treatment. In LO2 cells, inhibition of STAT-3 by siRNA attenuated the increased expression of SREBP1 and TG induced by high glucose. Salvianolic acids reduced the upregulation of SREBP1 and TG induced by high glucose in LO2 cells. In conclusion, these findings illustrated that salvianolic acids markedly alleviated the lipid metabolism disorders and protected against the postmenopausal obesity. The underlying mechanism was probably associated with the regulation of STAT-3 signaling.

Salvianolic acids improve liver lipid metabolism in ovariectomized rats via blocking STAT-3/SREBP1 signaling / 中国天然药物

Postmenopausal women, who have reduced circulating estrogen levels, are more prone to develop obesity and related metabolic diseases than premenopausal women. The absence of safe and effective treatments for postmenopausal obesity has changed the focus to natural products as alternative remedies. Total salvianolic acids (TSA) are the major water-soluble ingredients of Danshen. Salvianolic acid (SA) is the major constituent of the TSA. Salvianolic acids, including TSA and SA, are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. In the present study, ovariectomized rats and LO2 cells were used to study the effects of salvianolic acids on body weight gain and hepatic steatosis. Salvianolic acids reduced ovariectomy (OVX)-induced body weight gain, attenuated the expressions of hepatic lipogenic genes, such as sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)1, fatty acid synthase (FAS), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD)1, and decreased the liver triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC). For the molecular mechanisms, OVX and high glucose-induced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3 was inhibited by salvianolic acids treatment. In LO2 cells, inhibition of STAT-3 by siRNA attenuated the increased expression of SREBP1 and TG induced by high glucose. Salvianolic acids reduced the upregulation of SREBP1 and TG induced by high glucose in LO2 cells. In conclusion, these findings illustrated that salvianolic acids markedly alleviated the lipid metabolism disorders and protected against the postmenopausal obesity. The underlying mechanism was probably associated with the regulation of STAT-3 signaling.

Quality marker research of monarch herb Salvia miltiorrhiza in Compound Danshen Dripping Pills / 中草药

To explore the chemical ingredients of Salvia miltiorrhiza in Compound Danshen Dripping Pills (CDDP) based on the concept of quality marker (Q-marker). Methods The main salvianolic acids of S. miltiorrhiza and CDDP were determined by UPLC method. According to the extraction process of CDDP chemical transformation of salvianolic acids, including lithospermic acid, salvianolic acids B, E, U, and T were studied. Results Salvianolic acid B and rosmarinic acid, more than 90.0% and 5.0% of total salvianolic acid, were the main salvianolic acids in S. miltiorrhiza. But in CDDP, eight salvianolic acids (danshensu, protocatechuic aldehyde, salvianolic acids A, B, D, T, and U) were the main salvianolic acids. And the contents of danshensu and protocatechuic aldehyde were higher than the other six salvianolic acids. Through the study on chemical transformation of salvianolic acids, it was proved that lithospermic acid, salvianolic acids B, E, U, and T could transform into other salvianolic acids with smaller molecular weight, and danshensu and protocatechuic aldehyde were the main end products. Conclusion It is scientific to choose salvianolic acid B as the Q-marker of salvianolic acids of S. miltiorrhiza, and danshensu as the primary Q-marker. During the preparation of CDDP, salvianolic acids from S. miltiorrhiza have chemical chages, eight main salvianolic acids of which have been produced. The contens of danshensu and protocatechuic aldehyde are the highest in the eight salvianolic acids. From the chemical composition level, it is scientific and reasonable to choose danshensu as the Q-marker of monarch herb S. miltiorrhiza in CDDP.

Study on chemical constituents and dose-effect correlation of anti-oxidative activities among extracts of stems and leaves of Salvia miltiorrhiza / 中草药

Objective To evaluate the anti-oxidative effect and chemical constituents of stems and leaves of Salvia miltiorrhiza (SMSL) collected in July and December, water extracts and alcohol extracts of SMSL collected in July and December were taken as the subject, therefore provide scientific basis for the comprehensive development and utilization of SMSL. Methods The chemical constituents in the extracts were identified and determined by Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography combined with triple quadrupole electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-TQ/MS), then confirmed the main salvianolic acids (danshensu, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, and salvianolic acid B) as the material basis of anti-oxidant activity of SMSL. Moreover, based on the anti-oxidant activity evaluation index: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline- 6-sulphonate) (ABTS) free radical scavenging and iron reduction/anti-oxidant capacity (FRAP), anti-oxidant activity of SMSL was evaluated. Meanwhile Salvia Miltiorrhiza Radix et Rhizoma (SM) from market was used to be control. Results It showed that the water extracts of SMSL in July possessed strong anti-oxidant activities, and the total salvianolic acids with the content of 75.663 mg/g was the highest; Followed by the alcohol extracts of SMSL in July, anti-oxidant activity and total phenolic acid contents of SM extracts were all lower than that of SMSL in July. Danshensu, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, and salvianolic acid B showed obvious anti-oxidative activities and significant dose-dependent effect in scavenging free radicals. Conclusion It revealed that SMSL possessed strong in vitro anti-oxidant activity. Additonally, it is shown that SMSL was rich in salvianolic acids, in which danshensu, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, and salvianolic acid B also had obvious anti-oxidant activity.

Preparation and characterization of salvianolic acids-tanshinones composite powder for inhalation via co-micronized method / 中国中药杂志

Salvianolic acids and tanshinones are main hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts from Salvia Miltiorrhiza with significant anti-pulmonary fibrosis effects. The aim of this study was to prepare a co-micronized salvianolic acids-tanshinones composite powder for inhalation using a planetary ball mill. The micronization process parameters were optimized by central composite design (CCD) and response surface methodology (RSM). Treatment time, rotation speed and the ball/sample weight ratio were selected as the independent variables, and the volume fraction of particle size in 1-5 μm was taken as the dependent variable. The powder properties were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser diffraction and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). The powder flow and hygroscopicity were determined with repose angle, compressibility index and critical relative humidity(CRH). According to the results, the salvianolic acids-tanshinones composite powder produced in optimal conditions had a narrow and unimodal particle size distribution and a smaller D₅₀ of 2.33 μm. The volume fraction of particle size in 1-5 μm was 80.82%. The repose angle was (50.60±1.13) °, and the critical relative humidity is about 77%. After being micronized, the particle size significantly reduced, and the number of amorphous substances slightly increased, with no significant changes in powder flow and hygroscopicity. These findings indicate that the grinding method with a planetary ball mill can be used to co-micronize various components with different properties and prepare composite drug powders for dry powder inhalation.

Research progress on salvianolic acids of Salvia miltiorrhiza / 中国中药杂志

Salvia miltiorrhiza is one of the most common traditional Chinese medicines. It has rich resources in China. According to modern studies, phenolic acids are the main effective components in S. miltiorrhiza. These components have cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protective effect, and anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic activities, etc. It has been widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and others. In this paper, the chemicals and pharmacological effects of phenolic acids from S. miltiorrhiza were summarized in the last decade. Its researches and development prospects were also analyzed for further studying and comprehensive utilization of these phenolic acids.

Screening of effective ingredients of total salvianolic acids components based on in vitro blood-brain barrier model / 中草药

Objective: To establish a blood-brain barrier (BBB) model for screening the effective ingredients of total salvianolic acids components probably effecting central nervous system (CNS), so as to provide basis for the rapid high throughput screening of CNS drugs. Methods: The permeability parameters and transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) values showed that the co-cultured human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC)/HA (human astrocytes) model was of integrity and vitality. The active components in total salvianolic acids were screened with this in vitro BBB model, and then analyzed by HPLC-MS. Results: HA induced HBMEC to produce higher TEER in the first 10 d up to 300 Ω/cm2, sodium fluorescein was used to detect the formation of tight junctions of endothelial cells, and the permeability coefficient of its cross-vitro BBB model was (2.659 ± 0.730) × 10-3 cm/min. We found that six compounds at least from total salvianolic acids could permeate across BBB model, in which danshensu, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, isoferulic acid, lithospermic acid, and rosmarinicacid were identified. Conclusion: The co-cultured HBMEC/HA model combined with HPLC-MS analysis is a potential tool for screening of BBB permeable drug candidates from plant-derived materials.

Protective effect of seven kinds of phenolic acids of total salvianolic acids components on human umbilical vein endothelial cells with hypoxic injury / 中国中药杂志

In this paper, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) hypoxic injury models were established by sodium dithionite (Na2S2O4). With the protective effects of total salvianolic acids components (TSAC) against oxidative damage of HUVEC as a starting point, cellviability was measured by MTT colorimetric method； intracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), lactatedehydrogenase (LDH) level, nitric oxide (NO) level, interleukin6 (IL-6), and human tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) expression were measured by kits, to investigate the effect of seven kinds of phenolic acids of TSAC on Na2S2O4-induced HUVEC hypoxic injury. Based on the "component structure" theory, the contribution of the main components in TSAC for the protective effect on hypoxic injury of HUVEC was studied. The results showed that salvianolic acid B, posrnarinic acid A, salvianolic acid A, lactic acid, and lithospermic acid in TSAC play a larger role in protective effect of hypoxic injury of HUVEC. These five components were administered in combinations respectively, and it was concluded that the four components including salvianolic acid B, posrnarinic acid A, salvianolic acid A, lactic acid could be used as the representative components of TSAC.

Monitoring method for macroporous resin column chromatography process of salvianolic acids based on near infrared spectroscopy / 中国中药杂志

To study and establish a monitoring method for macroporous resin column chromatography process of salvianolic acids by using near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) as a process analytical technology (PAT).The multivariate statistical process control (MSPC) model was developed based on 7 normal operation batches, and 2 test batches (including one normal operation batch and one abnormal operation batch) were used to verify the monitoring performance of this model. The results showed that MSPC model had a good monitoring ability for the column chromatography process. Meanwhile, NIR quantitative calibration model was established for three key quality indexes (rosmarinic acid, lithospermic acid and salvianolic acid B) by using partial least squares (PLS) algorithm. The verification results demonstrated that this model had satisfactory prediction performance. The combined application of the above two models could effectively achieve real-time monitoring for macroporous resin column chromatography process of salvianolic acids, and can be used to conduct on-line analysis of key quality indexes. This established process monitoring method could provide reference for the development of process analytical technology for traditional Chinese medicines manufacturing.

Resource components analysis on Salvia miltiorrhiza residues in production process of Danhong Injection and its transformation mechanism / 中草药

Objective: To analyze the resource components (tanshinones and salvianolic acids) in Salvia miltiorrhiza residues in production process of Danhong Injection, explore the constituents transformation mechanism, and discover the resource utilization pathway for S. miltiorrhiza residues. Methods: The chemical constituents in S. miltiorrhiza and S. miltiorrhiza residues were extracted by methanol ultrasonic method. The HPLC-PDA analysis was carried out on a BDS HYPERSIL C18 (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm) column with acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid solution as mobile phase for gradient elution. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, the column temperature was maintained at 30℃. Then the residues resource utilization was further explored based on the research results and previous work. Results: The tanshinone components were virtually unused and remained in the residues during the production process of Danhong Injection. The contents of salvianolic acid A and protocatechuic aldehyde in the residues are higher than those in the salvia herbs. Conclusion: The tanshinones in S. miltiorrhiza residues are worthy of further development and utilization during the Danhong Injection production process. It provides a main basis for the resource utilization and development of S. miltiorrhiza residues.

Application of liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry technique in component analysis of Salvia miltiorrhiza / 中草药

Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) is a kind of Chinese materia medica (CMM), and there has been a long history of Danshen for wide use in the treatment of numerous diseases, especially the unique therapeutic effect on cardiovascular disorders. Salvianolic acids and tanshinones are the main effective components in Danshen, which attracts the researchers' more attention for its significant biological activity. Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry technique (LC-MS) is a rapid, sensitive, and comprehensive analytical method for the simultaneous separation and analysis, which has been widely used in the study on CMM component analysis. A large number of literatures of the application of LC-MS in the component analysis of Danshen are systematically summarized in this paper, so as to provide some indication for scientific interpretation of the effective material basis, and improve the quality control standard and comprehensive utilization of Danshen and its preparation.

Pharmacodynamics of Danshen co-microemulsion in treatment of experimental acute myocardial ischemia induced by pituitrin in rats / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To study the effects of Danshen co-microemulsion (Co-ME) in treatment of acute myocardial ischemia induced by pituitrin in rats. Methods The experimental model of myocardial ischemia was produced by injecting pituitrin into the sublingual vein of rats. The serum level of malonaldehyde(MDA) and the activities of phosphocreatine kinase (PCK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and erythrocupnin (SOD) were examined in Co-ME, salvianolic acid microemulsíon, tanshinone microemulsion, tanshinones suspension and blank microemulsion groups 30 min after injection of pituitrin. Results Co-ME, tanshinone microemulsion, salvianolic acíd microemulsion and tanshinone suspension all improved myocardial eschemia to some extent; besides, they also decreased PCK, LDH activities and MDA content, and increased SOD activity. The therapeutic effect of Co-ME group was superior to those for the tanshinone microemulsíon and salvianolic acid microemulsion groups, and significantly better than that of tanshinone suspension group (P<0.05). Conclusion Microemulsion system can greatly promote the absorbance and bíoavailability of tanshinone, dísplaying a therapeutic effect for acute myocardial íschemia. Salvianolic acids combined with tanshinones can promote the therapeutic effect.

Pharmacodynamics of Danshen co-microemulsion in treatment of experimental acute myocardial ischemia induced by pituitrin in rats / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To study the effects of Danshen co-microemulsion (Co-ME) in treatment of acute myocardial ischemia induced by pituitrin in rats. Methods The experimental model of myocardial ischemia was produced by injecting pituitrin into the sublingual vein of rats. The serum level of malonaldehyde (MDA) and the activities of phosphocreatine kinase (PCK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and erythrocuprein (SOD) were examined in Co-ME, salvianolic acid microemulsion, tanshinone microemulsion, tanshinones suspension and blank microemulsion groups 30 min after injection of pituitrin. Results Co-ME, tanshinone microemulsion, salvianolic acid microemulsion and tanshinone suspension all improved myocardial eschemia to some extent; besides, they also decreased PCK, LDH activities and MDA content, and increased SOD activity. The therapeutic effect of Co-ME group was superior to those for the tanshinone microemulsion and salvianolic acid microemulsion groups, and significantly better than that of tanshinone suspension group (P<0. 05). Conclusion Microemulsion system can greatly promote the absorbance and bioavailability of tanshinone, displaying a therapeutic effect for acute myocardial ischemia. Salvianolic acids combined with tanshinones can promote the therapeutic effect.

Comparative Study on the Determination of Salvianolic Acids Content by Colorimetery and HPLC / 浙江中医药大学学报

[Objective]To find the relationship between total content of salvianolic acids and single compound by comparing the determining method of colorimetery with HPLC.[Methods]To respectively research the methodology,then compare the contents by different extracting methods with raw material from different regions.[Results]The two methods were reliable,the contents had the positive relationship.[Conlusion]The content of total salvianolic acids or sal B could be determined and deduced by only one method.

Fingerprinting Analysis of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae with Ultra-high Performance Liquid Chromatography / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To establish an ultra-high performance liquid chromatographic fingerprinting analysis method for the hydrophilic component of salvianolic acids and the lipophilic component of tanshinones in Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae(RSM),and to supply a rapid and scientific method for quality control of RSM.Methods The chromatographic conditions were as follows: Acquity C18 BEH(2.1mm?100 mm,1.7 ?m)chromatographic column at 30℃,gradient elution with acetonitrile(A) and 0.4% formic acid(B)(90%~50% A for 0~10 min,75% A for 15 min),the flow rate being 0.5 mL?min-1 and UV detection wavelength set at 280nm.Results The chromatograms of the hydrophilic component and the lipophilic component were obtained within 15min,peak volume being 85.There were 20 peaks separated completely and identified by using HPLC-diode array detection-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry.Conclusion The developed method is proved practicable,rapid and reliable for quality control of RSM and its preparations.

Water soluble active ingredients of Danshen--review on the Salvianolic acids / 基础医学与临床

Danshen-Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae，is one of the common traditional Chinese medicines，which has been used clinically in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases more than 20 centuries.The active ingredients of Danshen has been researched 5 decades by the modern methods.Many researchers investigated the pharmacological effects of water soluble ingredients of Danshen-salvianolic acids in vivo and in vitro.The results demonstrated that salvianolic acids have different pharmacological effects such as potent antioxidative effects，scavenging free radicals，protect neural cells against injuries caused by anoxia， etc.In present paper，the pharmacological effects of salvianolic acids and the mechanisms of their actions are reviewed based on the research results obtained in our laboratory and other authors.