Product name: Nortanshinone
Synonym name: 8,9-Dihydro-1-methylphenanthro[1,2-b]furan-6,10,11(7H)-trione
Catalogue No.: BP2043
Cas No.: 97399-70-7
Formula: C₁₇H₁₂O₄
Mol Weight: 280.279
Botanical Source: Salvia miltiorrhiza
Physical Description:
Type of Compound: terpenoid

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
Inquire for bulk scale.

For Reference Standard and R&D, Not for Human Use Directly.

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

Introduction/Overview

Nortanshinone (CAS No.: 97399-70-7) is a natural pigment compound extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza, and is an important member of the tanshinone family. As a widely used herb in traditional Chinese medicine for treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, its active ingredient tanshinone compounds have attracted much attention due to their diverse biological activities. As one of the representative compounds, danshinone has shown unique potential in recent pharmacological studies in fields such as myocardial ischemia, inflammation regulation, and antioxidant effects. This paper will systematically review the chemical structure and physicochemical properties of Tanshinone, plant origin and extraction methods, pharmacological activity, mechanism of action and molecular targets, druggability evaluation, and pharmacokinetic characteristics. Combined with its clinical application prospects, it aims to provide a theoretical foundation and reference for further research and development of this natural product.

Chemical structure and physicochemical properties

The molecular formula of Danshinone is C_18H_16O_3, with a molecular weight of 280.2790. Its structure belongs to the tanshinone terpene compounds, featuring a typical terpene-quinone backbone, containing two phenolic hydroxyl groups and one quinone group, which imparts strong biological activity. The LogP value of tanshinone was 2.6492, indicating moderate lipid solubility, which facilitates cell membrane penetration and distribution in vivo. The polar surface area (TPSA) is 64.3500, indicating moderate polarity that may affect its absorption and metabolic processes. Its extremely low water solubility (0.0012 mg/mL) suggests limited solubility in vivo, and bioavailability may be improved through pharmaceutical improvements. The high permeability of the blood-brain barrier suggests that tanshinone has the potential to enter the central nervous system. The hERG channel inhibition test was negative, indicating a low risk of cardiotoxicity. The Ames mutagenic test value was 2.4, indicating a low genotoxicity risk and meeting preliminary safety requirements.

Plant Origins and Extraction Methods

Deshan tanshinone is mainly found in the root of Danshen and its underground parts, and is an important member of the tanshinone compounds. Salvia miltiorrhiza is the dried root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, a plant in the Lamiaceae family, widely distributed in northern and northwestern China. Traditional extraction methods typically use organic solvents such as ethanol, methanol, or ethyl acetate to extract dry Danshen powder by reflux, followed by liquid-liquid partitioning and column chromatography for separation and purification to obtain Danshinone. In recent years, the application of new technologies such as ultrasound-assisted extraction and microwave-assisted extraction has improved extraction efficiency and purity. During purification, silica gel column chromatography and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) are commonly used to achieve the separation and identification of tanshinone. Structural identification mainly relies on modern analytical techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry (MS), and infrared spectroscopy (IR).

Pharmacological activity research

Tanshinone demonstrates significant pharmacological activity across various in vitro and in vivo models, especially in cardiovascular protection. Its main pharmacological effects include:

1. Protective effect against myocardial ischemia
   Tanshinone can significantly improve myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, reduce myocardial cell apoptosis, and lessen inflammatory responses in myocardial tissue. In vivo experiments have shown that tanshinone reduces levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress in myocardial ischemia models by modulating multiple signaling pathways, thereby improving cardiac function indicators.

2. Anti-inflammatory effects
   Tanshinone can inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, reducing inflammatory responses. Its anti-inflammatory mechanism involves inhibiting the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway and the MAPK signaling pathway, reducing the release of inflammatory mediators.

3. Antioxidant effects
   By activating SIRT1 and regulating HIF1A expression, tanshinone enhances cells' antioxidant defenses, reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and protects cells from oxidative damage.

4. Anti-apoptotic effects
   Danshinone regulates the expression of BCL2 family proteins, inhibits CASP3 activation, and prevents myocardial cell apoptosis, thereby maintaining the survival and function of myocardial cells.

5. Regulates vascular function
   Tanshinone promotes nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) activity, enhances endothelial function, improves vasodilatory capacity, and reduces vascular resistance. Additionally, its inhibitory effect on ACEs helps regulate blood pressure and cardiovascular load.

Mechanism of action and molecular targets

The multi-target mechanism of tanshinone-lowering is the basis of its pharmacological diversity. The main molecular targets involved are as follows:

• BCL2: As an anti-apoptotic protein, it lowers tanshinone and upregulates BCL2 expression, blocking apoptosis signals and protecting myocardial cells.
• IL-6: Tanshinone suppresses IL-6 overexpression, reduces inflammatory responses, and prevents inflammation-mediated tissue damage.
• HIF1A: By regulating HIF1A, tanshinone lowers tanshinone to promote cellular adaptation to hypoxic environments and enhances the myocardium's tolerance to hypoxia.
• SIRT1: Activates the SIRT1 signaling pathway, regulates cellular metabolism and antioxidant responses, and slows the progression of myocardial injury.
• MAPK1: Inhibits MAPK1 pathway activity, blocking inflammation and apoptosis signaling.
• NOS2/NOS3: Regulates nitric oxide synthase activity, promotes vasodilation and anti-inflammation.
• ACE: Inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme, reducing vasoconstriction and cardiac burden.
• CASP3: Inhibits the key apoptosis enzyme CASP3, reducing cell apoptosis.
• KCNH2: Although it is an important component of the heart's potassium channels, tanshinone does not significantly inhibit it, reducing the risk of potential arrhythmias.

The synergistic regulation of these targets enables tanshinone to exert a protective effect in myocardial ischemia and related cardiovascular diseases, demonstrating its multi-target and multi-pathway pharmacological characteristics.

Druggability evaluation and pharmacokinetics

The druggability parameters of deshantaminone indicate its promising potential for drug development. A molecular weight of 280.2790 fits the ideal range of Lipinski's rule, with a LogP of 2.6492, indicating moderate lipid solubility, which is beneficial for oral absorption and cell membrane penetration. TPSA is 64.3500, indicating moderate polarity that contributes to the bioavailability of the drug. Its extremely low water solubility (0.0012 mg/mL) is a major challenge in formulation development, requiring technologies such as nanocarriers and solid dispersions to improve solubility and stability.

The high permeability of the blood-brain barrier suggests that downtanshinone has potential for treating central nervous system-related diseases, but its safety in the central nervous system should also be considered. hERG channel inhibition is negative, indicating a low risk of cardiotoxicity and meeting safety requirements. Ames trial results showed a low genotoxicity risk, supporting its safety evaluation.

Currently, pharmacokinetic research on tanshinone is relatively limited. Preliminary data indicate that its metabolism in the body mainly occurs through hepatic enzyme systems, with most metabolites being hydroxylation and glucuronic acid conjugates, and excretion mainly via bile and urine. It has a moderate half-life and offers good exposure time in vivo.

Prospects and outlooks for clinical applications

As one of the active ingredients in the tanshinone class, danshinone shows broad clinical application prospects due to its remarkable myocardial protection, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Especially in adjunctive treatment of myocardial ischemia, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and related cardiovascular diseases, danshinone is expected to become a novel natural drug candidate.

Future research should focus on the following aspects:

1. Pharmacokinetic and toxicological systematic research
   Improving in vivo metabolic kinetics, long-term toxicity, and safety evaluation of tanshinone to provide data support for clinical trials.

2. Dosage form development and bioavailability enhancement
   To address its poor water solubility, new formulations such as nanoparticles and liposomes have been developed to improve oral absorption and in vivo stability.

3. In-depth analysis of multi-target mechanisms
   Using systems biology and molecular pharmacology techniques, the multi-target regulatory network of tanshinone in cardiovascular diseases was further elucidated.

4. Clinical trial validation
   Conduct preclinical and clinical studies of danshinone to evaluate its efficacy and safety, and promote its translation into clinical application.

5. Expanding indication research
   Exploring the potential therapeutic value of danshinone in neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic syndrome, and other disease areas.

Conclusion

As an important natural active ingredient in Danshen, Qianthan tanshinone, with its unique chemical structure and multi-target pharmacological effects, demonstrates promising application potential in the prevention and treatment of myocardial ischemia and related cardiovascular diseases. Its excellent druggability parameters and safety evaluation lay the foundation for new drug development. In the future, through in-depth pharmacological mechanism research, pharmacokinetic optimization, and clinical validation, danshinone is expected to become an important representative of natural product drug development, offering new treatment options for cardiovascular disease patients. With continuous advances in modern technology, the research and application of tanshinone will embrace even broader development prospects.