tanshinone IIA

Tanshinone IIA is a lipophilic diterpene quinone and the main active component extracted from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is widely used in China and neighboring countries for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, apoplexy (stroke), arthritis, sepsis, and other conditions. Pharmacologically, it exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-tumor/anticancer effects (including inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in various cancer cell lines), as well as protective effects on vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. Mechanistically, it modulates multiple signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibition, p53 activation, RAF/MEK pathway activation in cancer models; suppresses NF-kappaB activity; downregulates inflammatory mediators like CCL2; regulates immune cell function; inhibits oxidative stress; reduces vascular smooth muscle proliferation/migration; stabilizes atherosclerotic plaques by inhibiting apoptosis/inflammation of VSMCs; inhibits foam cell formation by macrophages. It has also shown renoprotective effects via modulation of fibrotic/inflammatory pathways[1][3][5][7][9][10].

Other names

Dan Shen ketone