Research progress on salvianolic acids of Salvia miltiorrhiza

Salvia miltiorrhiza is one of the most common traditional Chinese medicines. It has rich resources in China. According to modern studies, phenolic acids are the main effective components in S. miltiorrhiza. These components have cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protective effect, and anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic activities, etc. It has been widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and others. In this paper, the chemicals and pharmacological effects of phenolic acids from S. miltiorrhiza were summarized in the last decade. Its researches and development prospects were also analyzed for further studying and comprehensive utilization of these phenolic acids.