Medicinal plant‐derived bioactive compounds modulate multiple therapeutic targets in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), rendering herb‐derived phytochemicals effective against one of the major CVDs‐atherosclerosis. Danshen (Salvia milthiorriza Bunge) is a Chinese medicine that has been used in cardio‐ and cerebro‐vascular therapeutic remedies in Asian countries for many years. Emerging evidence from cellular, animal, and clinical studies suggests that major lipophilic tanshinones from Danshen can treat atherosclerotic CVDs. In this review, we highlight recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of tanshinones in treating atherosclerosis, ranging from endothelial dysfunction to chronic inflammation. We also overview new molecular targets of tanshinones, including endothelial nitric oxide synthase, AMP‐activated protein kinase, ABC transporter A1, heme oxygenase 1, soluble epoxide hydrolase, 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, estrogen receptor, and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9. Thus, this review provides a new perspective for advancing our understanding of the “ancient” herb Danshen from “modern” biomedical perspectives, supporting the possibility of exploiting tanshinones and derivatives as effective therapeutics against atherosclerosis‐related cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

中文翻译：

---

丹参中丹参酮的抗动脉粥样硬化作用及其分子靶点

药用植物衍生的生物活性化合物可调节心血管疾病（CVD）的多个治疗靶标，使草药衍生的植物化学物质对主要的CVD动脉粥样硬化之一有效。丹参（丹参milthiorriza邦吉（Bunge）是一种中药，多年来在亚洲国家/地区用于心脑血管治疗。来自细胞，动物和临床研究的新证据表明，丹参中主要的亲脂性丹参酮可以治疗动脉粥样硬化性CVD。在这篇综述中，我们重点介绍了丹参酮在治疗动脉粥样硬化的分子机制（从内皮功能障碍到慢性炎症）方面的最新进展。我们还概述了丹参酮的新分子靶标，包括内皮型一氧化氮合酶，AMP激活的蛋白激酶，ABC转运蛋白A1，血红素加氧酶1，可溶性环氧化物水解酶，11β-羟类固醇脱氢酶，雌激素受体和前蛋白转化酶枯草杆菌蛋白酶/ kexin类型9。因此，