Product name: Tanshinone I
Synonym name: Tanshinquinone I
Catalogue No.: BP1361
Cas No.: 568-73-0
Formula: C₁₈H₁₂O₃
Mol Weight: 276.291
Botanical Source: Pigment from Root of several Salvia spp.
Physical Description: Red powder
Type of Compound: Diterpenoids

Purity: 95%~99%
Analysis Method: HPLC-DAD or/and HPLC-ELSD
Identification Method: Mass, NMR
Packing: Brown vial or HDPE plastic bottle

Storage: Store in a well closed container, protected from air and light. Put into refrigerate or freeze for long term storage.
Whenever possible, you should prepare and use solutions on the same day. However, if you need to make up stock solutions in advance, we recommend that you store the solution as aliquots in tightly sealed vials at -20℃. Generally, these will be useable for up to two weeks.

The product could be supplied from milligrams to grams, up to kilograms
Inquire for bulk scale.

Descriptions:
Tanshinone I, a major active principle of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), has been shown to overcome tumor drug resistance and metastasis, it inhibits angiogenesis, inhibits proliferation, migration and tube formation of vascular endothelial cells, rat aortic ring sprouting and the neovascularization of the chick chorioallantoic membrane in a concentration-dependent manner; it as promising angiogenesis inhibitors.[1]
Tanshinone I can suppress growth and invasion of human breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231, through regulation of adhesion molecules.[2]
Tanshinone I, tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone, can protect against liver toxicity in vivo and in vitro due to its antioxidant effects.[3]
Tanshinone I exerts neuroprotection in cerebrovascular diseases including transient ischemic attack, it can promote neurogenesis in the mouse DG and that the neurogenesis is related with increases of Wnt-3, p-GSK-3β and β-catenin immunoreactivities.[4]
Tanshinone I can effectively induce apoptosis in estrogen receptor-positive (MCF-7) and estrogen receptor-negative (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cells; it has growth inhibition and apoptosis induction in human colon cancer Colo 205 cells.[5]
Tanshinone I enhances learning and memory, and ameliorates memory impairment in mice via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase signalling pathway.[6,7]

References:
[1] Wang Y, Li J X, Wang Y Q, et al. Oncotarget, 2015, 6(18):16031-42.
[2] Nizamutdinova I T, Lee G W, Lee J S, et al. Carcinogenesis, 2008, 29(10):1885-92.
[3] Park E J, Zhao Y Z, Kim Y C, et al. Food Chem Toxicol , 2009, 47(11):2742-8.
[4] Bai H C, Park J H, Cho J H, et al. Neurochem Res, 2016,41(8):1958-68.
[5] Nizamutdinova IT, Lee GW, Son KH, et al. Int J Oncol, 2008, 33(3):485-91.
[5] Su C C, Chen G W, Lin J G. Int J Mol Med, 2008, 22(5):613-8.
[6] Dong H K, Kim S, Su J J, et al. Brit J Pharmacol, 2009, 158(4):1131-42.
[7] Shi Z, He J, Yao T, et al. J Pharm Biomed Anal, 2005, 37(3):481-6.

HPLC of  Tanshinone I

Storage conditions：Short-term storage at 2~8℃, long-term storage at -20 ~ -80℃

Introduction/Overview

Tanshinone I (CAS No.: 568-73-0) is a major active ingredient isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, and is an important member of the tanshinone compounds. Tanshinone I, with its unique chemical structure and diverse bioactivity, has attracted widespread attention in the field of natural product pharmacology. In recent years, with in-depth research into the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, especially atherosclerosis, tanshinone I has demonstrated significant therapeutic potential due to its regulatory effects on related molecular targets. This paper aims to systematically review the chemical properties, plant origin, pharmacological activity, mechanism of action, druggability evaluation, and clinical application prospects of Tanshinone I, aiming to provide theoretical basis and research directions for drug development of this natural product.

Chemical structure and physicochemical properties

Tanshinone I is a typical dihydronaphthoquinone compound, with a molecular formula of C18H12O3 and a molecular weight of 276.2910. Its chemical structure includes a naphthoquinone framework, which has a strong conjugated system and hydrophobicity. In terms of physicochemical properties, the LogP value of tanshinone I is 3.7405, indicating good lipid solubility and beneficial cell membrane penetration. The polar surface area (TPSA) is 47.2800, indicating moderate molecular polarity, which may affect its intracellular distribution and targeting. Its extremely low water solubility (0.0002 mg/mL) limits its oral bioavailability and formulation development. Tanshinone I has a high blood-brain barrier penetration ability, suggesting its potential application value in central nervous system diseases. The hERG channel inhibition test was negative, indicating a low risk of cardiotoxicity. The Ames test result was 1.8, indicating a low genotoxicity risk and meeting drug safety requirements.

Plant Origins and Extraction Methods

Tanshinone I is mainly found in fat-soluble extracts of the root of Saltiorrhiza. Salvia miltiorrhiza bunge is the dried root and rhizome of the Lamiaceae plant Salvia miltiorrhiza bunge, a classic herb in traditional Chinese medicine used to promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, and improve blood circulation. Salvia root contains various tanshinone compounds, with Tanshinone I being relatively abundant.

Extraction methods typically use organic solvent reflux extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, or microwave-assisted extraction, with commonly used solvents including ethanol, methanol, and ethyl acetate. After extraction, high-purity tanshinone I is obtained through separation and purification techniques such as silica gel column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In recent years, supercritical CO2 extraction technology, due to its green environmental friendliness and high efficiency, has also been applied to the extraction of tanshinone I, significantly improving extraction efficiency and purity.

Pharmacological activity research

Tanshinone I exhibits multiple pharmacological activities, covering anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and cardiovascular protection, especially showing unique advantages in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.

1. Anti-atherosclerotic effects
   Tanshinone I significantly slows the formation of atherosclerotic plaques by regulating lipid metabolism, inhibiting inflammatory responses, and improving vascular endothelial function. In vitro studies have shown that tanshinone I can inhibit human type IIA recombinant phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) and rabbit recombinant cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), with IC50s of 11 μM and 82 μM respectively, reducing the release of inflammatory mediators and alleviating vascular wall inflammation.

2. Anti-inflammatory activity
   Tanshinone I can inhibit the expression of various pro-inflammatory factors, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), reducing inflammatory responses and protecting tissues from damage.

3. Antioxidant effects
   By scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhancing endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity, tanshinone I reduces oxidative stress, prevents lipid peroxidation, and protects vascular endothelial cell function.

4. Antitumor activity
   Tanshinone I exhibits effects in various tumor cell lines by inhibiting cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and blocking the cell cycle, involving multiple signaling pathways and possessing potential anticancer value.

5. Cardiovascular protection
   Tanshinone I exerts a cardioprotective effect and alleviates myocardial injury by regulating myocardial apoptosis and improving myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Mechanism of action and molecular targets

The mechanism of action of tanshinone I involves multiple molecular targets, with a particularly prominent performance in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. Its main targets include:

• AMPK（PRKAA1）
  As a key regulator of cellular energy metabolism, activation of AMPK helps regulate lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses. Tanshinone I can promote lipid metabolic balance by activating the AMPK pathway, thereby inhibiting the progression of atherosclerosis.

• EHMT2（EHMT2）
  EHMT2 is a histone methyltransferase involved in epigenetic regulation. Tanshinone I may regulate EHMT2 activity, influence the expression of related genes, and regulate inflammation and apoptosis.

• MCL1 and BCL2
  Both of these proteins are anti-apoptotic proteins. Tanshinone I regulates its expression, promotes apoptosis of diseased cells, and inhibits the proliferation of pathological cells.

• RECQ1
  RECQ1 is a DNA helicase involved in maintaining genome stability. Tanshinone I may regulate cell repair and apoptosis mechanisms by affecting RECQ1 function.

• LOX-1
  LOX-1 is a receptor for oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and is involved in the development of atherosclerosis. Tanshinone I inhibits LOX-1 expression, reducing oxLDL-mediated inflammatory responses and vascular damage.

• ABCA1
  ABCA1 is a key cholesterol transporter that promotes cholesterol reverse transport. Tanshinone I promotes cholesterol excretion and reduces lipid deposition by upregulating ABCA1.

• IDO1
  IDO1 is involved in tryptophan metabolism and immune regulation; the regulation of tanshinone I helps regulate the immune microenvironment and reduce inflammation.

Additionally, as an inhibitor of type IIA human recombinant sPLA2 and rabbit recombinant cPLA2, tanshinone I significantly reduces the release of inflammatory mediators, alleviates vascular wall inflammatory responses, and exerts multi-target synergistic effects.

Druggability evaluation and pharmacokinetics

Tanshinone I demonstrates certain advantages and challenges in druggability evaluation:

• Molecular properties
  Molecular weight 276.2910 complies with the Lipinski rule and is beneficial for oral absorption. A LogP value of 3.74 indicates moderate lipid solubility, which aids cell membrane penetration, but extremely low water solubility (0.0002 mg/mL) limits oral bioavailability and formulation development.

• The blood-brain barrier was breached
  Tanshinone I has a high blood-brain barrier penetration ability, suggesting its potential application value in the treatment of central nervous system diseases.

• Security
  hERG channel inhibition negative, reducing the risk of cardiotoxicity. The Ames test result was 1.8, indicating a low risk of genotoxicity.

• Pharmacokinetic characteristics
  Currently, in vivo pharmacokinetic research on tanshinone I is relatively limited. Previous studies have shown poor oral absorption, moderate half-life in the body, and is mainly metabolized by the liver. The metabolites and their activity still require further elucidation. To improve bioavailability, the development of novel drug delivery systems such as nanocarriers, liposomes, and solid dispersions has become a research hotspot.

Prospects and outlooks for clinical applications

Tanshinone I, as an important active ingredient in Danshen, has attracted widespread attention due to its multi-target and multi-mechanism pharmacological activity, especially its potential therapeutic value in atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases. Its regulation of key targets such as AMPK, LOX-1, and ABCA1 is expected to improve dyslipidemia, suppress inflammatory responses, promote vascular repair, and slow down the progression of atherosclerosis.

The key to future clinical application lies in solving the problems of poor water solubility and low oral bioavailability, optimizing drug delivery routes and dosage form design. Meanwhile, the system's pharmacokinetics, safety evaluation, and preclinical animal model validation form the foundation for its clinical translation. By combining modern molecular pharmacology and medicinal chemistry techniques, tanshinone I is expected to develop into a novel therapeutic drug for cardiovascular diseases.

In addition, the potential of tanshinone I in antitumor and neuroprotective fields is also worth further exploration. By modifying structures and developing derivatives, enhancing their activity and drug properties will broaden their clinical applications.

Conclusion

As a natural product with significant pharmacological activity, Tanshinone I demonstrates multi-target and multi-mechanism therapeutic potential, especially its value in atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases. Its unique chemical structure and physicochemical properties provide a solid foundation for drug development, but poor water solubility and low bioavailability remain urgent issues to address. In the future, through in-depth mechanistic research, drug design, and formulation optimization, Tanshinone I is expected to become a major breakthrough in natural product pharmacology, offering new treatment options for cardiovascular disease patients. Ongoing basic and clinical research will drive it from the laboratory to clinical applications, maximizing its medicinal value.