Abstract
Extract of Tan-Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza, Labiatae), a Chinese traditional crude drug, was reported to show beneficial activity
for heart disease. Chemical examination on the extract was performed on the basis
of screening for protective action on the ischemic myocardium. Isolated hearts were
subjected to hypoxic perfusion for 20 min, followed by 45 min reoxygenation, and the
recovery of cardiac contractile force and changes in UV absorbance of the perfusate
were examined. Among the components isolated, tanshinone I, cryptotanshinone, and
tanshinone VI elicited a significant enhanced recovery of the contractile force upon
reoxygenation. This was associated with a decrease in the increase in UV absorbance
of the perfusate, suggesting the preservation of ATP metabolites in the myocardium.
This, in turn, may enhance the restoration of ATP upon oxygen-replenishment. The results
suggest that tanshinone I, cryptotanshinone, and tanshinone VI can protect the myocardium
against ischemia-induced derangements.
