1Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Danzhou, P.R. China
2Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology, College of Life and Environment Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, P.R. China
*Corresponding author: Fax: +86 898 23300440; Tel: +86 898 23300289; E-mail: songbichen@yahoo.com
Kaimian Li1
1Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Danzhou, P.R. China
2Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology, College of Life and Environment Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, P.R. China
*Corresponding author: Fax: +86 898 23300440; Tel: +86 898 23300289; E-mail: songbichen@yahoo.com
Guoyin Kai2
1Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Danzhou, P.R. China
2Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology, College of Life and Environment Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, P.R. China
*Corresponding author: Fax: +86 898 23300440; Tel: +86 898 23300289; E-mail: songbichen@yahoo.com
Songbi Chen1
1Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Danzhou, P.R. China
2Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology, College of Life and Environment Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, P.R. China
*Corresponding author: Fax: +86 898 23300440; Tel: +86 898 23300289; E-mail: songbichen@yahoo.com
Tanshinones, a group of diterpenoids, are the important bioactive components of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge) roots used as a well-known Chinese traditional medicine. They are detected to have many biological functions, such as antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antineoplastic etc. and are widely used in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebral vascular diseases. In the present paper, we reviewed the morphological characteristics, active components and chemical uses of Danshen in China and then summarize the pathways of tanshinones biosynthesis and biological functions. The metabolic regulation involved enhancing tanshinone production in Danshen is discussed, in which it will provide a new insight into understanding mechanism of biosynthesis of tanshinones.
Luo1, X., Li1, K., Kai2, G., & Chen1, S. (2013). Biosynthesis of Tanshinones and Metabolic Regulation in Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza): Mini Review. Asian Journal of Chemistry, 25(18), 10028–10032. https://doi.org/10.14233/ajchem.2013.15295
