Liposome intracellular delivery of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. deprivative DS-201 improves its BK Ca channel-activating and vasorelaxing effects

Tanshinones and their Derivatives: Heterocyclic Ring-Fused Diterpenes of Biological Interest

The available scientific literature regarding tanshinones is very abundant, and after its review, it is noticeable that most of the articles focus on the properties of tanshinone I, cryptotanshinone, tanshinone IIA, sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate and the dried root extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Tan- Shen). However, although these products have demonstrated important biological properties in both in vitro and in vivo models, their poor solubility and bioavailability have limited their clinical applications. For these reasons, many studies have focused on the search for new pharmaceutical formulations for tanshinones, as well as the synthesis of new derivatives that improve their biological properties. To provide new insights into the critical path ahead, we systemically reviewed the most recent advances (reported since 2015) on tanshinones in scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Scopus, and Clinical Trials). With a broader perspective, we offer an update on the last five years of new research on these quinones, focusing on their synthesis, biological activity on noncommunicable diseases and drug delivery systems, to support future research on its clinical applications.

Hybrid-cell membrane-coated nanocomplex-loaded chikusetsusaponin IVa methyl ester for a combinational therapy against breast cancer assisted by Ce6

Hybrid-cell membrane coating nanocomplexes loading chikusetsusaponin IVa methyl ester for combinational therapy against breast cancer assisted with Ce6.

Decreased vasodilatory effect of Tanshinone ⅡA Sodium Sulfonate on mesenteric artery in hypertension

Tanshinone ⅡA Sodium Sulfonate (DS-201), a derivative of traditional Chinese medicinal herb Danshen, has been clinically used for various cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies showed that DS-201 induced vascular relaxation partly due to the activation of the large conductance Ca²⁺-activated potassium (BK_Ca) channels. However, the efficacy of DS-201 on the resistant vessels in hypertension remains unknown. Mesentery arteries obtained from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and hypertension patients were used in this study. The endothelium-denuded mesenteric arteries were prepared to measure the artery tension and evaluate the vasodilatory effect of DS-201. The results showed that DS-201 had a vasodilatory effect on the mesenteric artery rings pre-contracted with either phenylephrine (PE) or thromboxane mimetic U46619 in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the vasodilatory effect of DS-201 significantly decreased in hypertension than in control arteries due to a decrease in protein level of BK_Ca β1subunit. A BK_Ca channel blocker IbTX (200 nM) significantly inhibited the relaxant effect of DS-201 on non-hypertensive arteries, whereas the BK_Ca channel specific agonist NS1619 rescued the vasodilating effects of DS-201 on hypertensive vessels. These results indicate that the vasodilating effect of DS-201 is BK_Ca-dependent. This study demonstrated that DS-201 alone may not be effective for treating hypertension, but it may be considered as therapy combined with BK_Ca-agonists or methods rescuing BK_Ca functions.

Sodium Tanshinone II-A Sulfonate (DS-201) Induces Vasorelaxation of Rat Mesenteric Arteries via Inhibition of L-Type Ca2+ Channel

Background: We previously have proved that sodium tanshinone II-A sulfonate (DS-201), a derivative of traditional Chinese medicinal herb Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), is an opener and vasodilator of BK_Ca channel in the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Vascular tension is closely associated with Ca²⁺ dynamics and activation of BK_Ca channel may not be the sole mechanism for the relaxation of the vascular tension by DS-201. Therefore, we hypothesized that the vasorelaxing effect of DS-20 may be also related to Ca²⁺ channel and cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ level in the VSMCs.

Methods: Arterial tension was measured by Danish Myo Technology (DMT) myograph system in the mesentery vessels of rats, intracellular Ca²⁺ level by fluorescence imaging system in the VSMCs of rats, and L-type Ca²⁺ current by patch clamp technique in Ca²⁺ channels transfected human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293) cells.

Results: DS-201 relaxed the endothelium-denuded artery rings pre-constricted with PE or high K⁺ and the vasorelaxation was reversible. Blockade of K⁺ channel did not totally block the effect of DS-201 on vasorelaxation. DS-201 suppressed [Ca²⁺]_i transient induced by high K⁺ in a concentration-dependent manner in the VSMCs, including the amplitude of Ca²⁺ transient, the time for Ca²⁺ transient reaching to the [Ca²⁺]_i peak and the time to remove Ca²⁺ from the cytoplasm. DS-201 inhibited L-type Ca²⁺ channel with an EC₅₀ of 59.5 μM and at about 40% efficacy of inhibition. However, DS-201did not significantly affect the kinetics of Ca²⁺ channel. The effect of DS-201 on L-type Ca²⁺ channel was rate-independent.

Conclusion: The effect of DS-201 on vasorelaxation was not only via activating BK_Ca channel, but also blocking Ca²⁺ channel and inhibiting Ca²⁺ influx in the VSMCs of rats. The results favor the use of DS-201 and Danshen in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases clinically.