Danshen ethanol extract

Danshen ethanol extract is a **lipid-soluble preparation** derived from the dried roots of *Salvia miltiorrhiza* Bunge (Danshen), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. The extract is obtained through **alcohol-based extraction** and is rich in **lipophilic diterpene quinones**, particularly **tanshinones**, including tanshinone I, tanshinone IIA, and cryptotanshinone as the primary bioactive components. Unlike water extracts of Danshen that contain primarily phenolic acids, the ethanol extract contains **abietanoids and diterpene quinone pigments**. The extract has been traditionally used for treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, including angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and stroke. The ethanol extract demonstrates pharmacological activities including **induction of P-glycoprotein (MDR1)** and **CYP3A4**, leading to significant drug-drug interactions. Tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone in the extract have been shown to be **potent inhibitors of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH)**, with additional cardiovascular protective and anti-inflammatory effects. The extract exhibits **anti-oxidative**, **anti-inflammatory**, and **cardio-protective properties** through multiple mechanisms.

Other names

Ethanol extract of Salvia miltiorrhizaSalvia miltiorrhiza ethanol extractDanshen alcohol extract