Table 1.

The effects of bioactive components from Danshen on major characteristics of AD

Compounds from Danshen	The effects on the characteristics of AD
Salvianolic acid A	Inhibit Aβ aggregation and disaggregates Aβ fibrils [47] Anti-Aβ-induced cytotoxicity [47] Inhibit the activity of β-secretase in enzyme kinetic assay [48] Inhibit the activity of GSK3β in enzyme kinetic assay [51]
Salvianolic acid B	Anti-Aβ-induced cytotoxicity [52, 53] Reduce Aβ generation in cells [54, 55] Down-regulate the expression of β-secretase in cells [54] Up-regulate the expression of α-secretase in cells [54] Inhibit the activity of GSK3β in enzyme kinetic assay [51] Reduce the activity of GSK3β in cells [54] Activate NRF2-mediated intracellular antioxidant defense mechanism [56] Reduce abnormal increase of autophagy in in vivo [59]
Danshensu	Anti-Aβ-induced cytotoxicity [53] Activate NRF2-mediated intracellular antioxidant defense mechanism [61]
Tanshinone I	Inhibit Aβ aggregation and disaggregates Aβ fibrils [64] Anti-Aβ-induced cytotoxicity [64] Activate NRF2-mediated intracellular antioxidant defense mechanism [65]
Tanshinone IIA	Inhibits Aβ aggregation and disaggregates Aβ fibrils [64] Anti-Aβ-induced cytotoxicity [64, 66–68] Reduce Aβ-induced memory decline and neuroinflammation in in vivo [69] Reduce Aβ-induced p35/Cdk5 pathway [66] Activate NRF2-mediated intracellular antioxidant defense mechanism [72] Reduce abnormal increase of autophagy in in vitro [73]
Crytotanshinone	Inhibits Aβ aggregation [74] Anti-Aβ-induced cytotoxicity [74] Reduce Aβ-induced memory decline and neuroinflammation in in vivo [69] Attenuate amyloid plaque deposition and the decrease of cognitive ability in APP/PS1 transgenic mice [76] Up-regulate the expression of α-secretase in cells [77]