Danshensu

Danshensu or salvianolic acid A is an alpha hydroxy carboxylic acid. It is found in the plants Salvia miltiorrhiza, and Melissa officinalis. It is a component of some traditional Chinese medicine.

It was discovered in the water soluble extract of roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza. The substance can dissolve in water, methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate and acetone. In practice the roots are extracted with boiling water. Then ethanol is added to bring the concentration up to %70 ethanal. This causes precipitation of protein, starch and polysaccharides. Chloroform then extracts coloured chemicals from the alcoholic solution.

Danshensu as a racemic form has been made from protocatechuic aldehyde.

Reactions
Danshensu is sensitive to air or alkaline conditions. It oxidises, polymerises and darkens on exposure.

Danshensu can have its hydroxy groups methylated on treatment with dimethylsulfate. In acid conditions it can convert to salvianolic acid C.

Pharmacology
Danshensu dilates cardiac arteries.

It can be sold as a sodium salt.