Abstract

Tanshinones are a class of bioactive compounds present in the Chinese herbal medicine Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge), containing among others, abietane diterpene quinone scaffolds. Chemical synthesis and biological activity studies of natural and unnatural tanshinone derivatives have been reviewed in this article.

Keywords: Danshen, Tanshinone, Chemical synthesis, Structural modification, Biological activity, Herbal medicine.