Using an animal model, scientists have confirmed that tanshinone IIA, the active ingredient of a Chinese herb called danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), may reduce blood pressure. This Chinese herb has already been widely used in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to promote blood flow and treat cardiovascular disease.

Based on the results, it has been concluded that tanshinone IIA:

• significantly reduced blood pressure in hamsters,


• enhanced the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase,


• increased the production of nitric oxide and


• induced blood pressure changes through vasodilation in hamster blood microvessels.

Their study was published in the American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology, doi:10.1152/ajpheart.01027.2006.

[Photo: Salvia miltiorrhiza, ITM Online]