title: Atheroprotective Effects and Molecular Targets of Tanshinones Derived From Herbal Medicine Danshen.
abstract: Medicinal plant-derived bioactive compounds modulate multiple therapeutic targets in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), rendering herb-derived phytochemicals effective against one of the major CVDs-atherosclerosis. Danshen (Salvia milthiorriza Bunge) is a Chinese medicine that has been used in cardio- and cerebro-vascular therapeutic remedies in Asian countries for many years. Emerging evidence from cellular, animal, and clinical studies suggests that major lipophilic tanshinones from Danshen can treat atherosclerotic CVDs. In this review, we highlight recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of tanshinones in treating atherosclerosis, ranging from endothelial dysfunction to chronic inflammation. We also overview new molecular targets of tanshinones, including endothelial nitric oxide synthase, AMP-activated protein kinase, ABC transporter A1, heme oxygenase 1, soluble epoxide hydrolase, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, estrogen receptor, and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9. Thus, this review provides a new perspective for advancing our understanding of the "ancient" herb Danshen from "modern" biomedical perspectives, supporting the possibility of exploiting tanshinones and derivatives as effective therapeutics against atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Huadu District People's Hospital,Southern Medical University, 48 Xinhua Road, Guangzhou, 510800, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence (PACE), School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia.|Xinhua College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510520, China.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Little
authors.affiliation: Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642.
authors.forename: Suowen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D045784:Abietanes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D027561:Salvia miltiorrhiza
chemical_list: D045784:Abietanes; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C021751:tanshinone; C028972:dan-shen root extract
keywords: Danshen; atherosclerosis; drug discovery; tanshinone; target