Cryptotanshinone, a lipophilic compound of Salvia miltiorrriza root, inhibits TNF-alpha-induced expression of adhesion molecules in HUVEC and attenuates rat myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in vivo.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of cryptotanshinone (CTS), one of active ingredients of Salvia miltiorrhiza root, on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat due to inhibition of some inflammatory events that occur by NF-kappaB-activation during ischemia and reperfusion. Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury was induced by occluding the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by either 2 h (biochemical analysis) or 24 h (myocardial function and infarct size measurement) reperfusion. CTS injected (i.