dihydrotanshinone I

Dihydrotanshinone I is a bioactive lipophilic abietane diterpenoid isolated from the root of *Salvia miltiorrhiza* (Danshen), a staple of traditional Chinese medicine. It exhibits significant antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular protective properties. In oncology research, dihydrotanshinone I has demonstrated the ability to induce apoptosis in various cancer cell lines, including glioblastoma, by promoting the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. It is particularly noted for its potential as a chemosensitizer; it can cross the blood-brain barrier and downregulate the expression of O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp), thereby enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents like temozolomide. Furthermore, it modulates several key signaling pathways, including the inhibition of NF-κB and the PI3K/AKT pathway, to suppress tumor cell proliferation and survival.

Other names

1,2-dihydrotanshinone Idihydrotanshinone