Written by Chrystal Moulton, Science Writer. Researchers observed a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure beginning at week 4 through week 12 between the intervention and control group (P <0.05).

Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) is an herb traditionally used in Chinese medicine. Bioactive compounds found in Dan Shen have been shown to improve endothelial function and affect vasodilation.^1,2 Dan Shen contains salvianolic acids and tanshinones which also exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.^1,2 Clinical trials utilizing Dan Shen has shown that Dan Shen improves hemodynamics, reduces blood pressure, and ameliorates vascular remodeling.³ In the current trial, researchers conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of Dan Shen in hypertensive patients.⁴

Researchers screened 320 patients diagnosed with hypertension from a hospital in China. Patients were included if they met the following criteria:

• Diagnosed with primary hypertension [systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/ or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg
• No prior use of Dan Shen
• No evidence of hepatic or renal insufficiency, pregnancy, or diabetes
• No history of hypertension-related complications or severe comorbidities

Patients were excluded if they recently used anticoagulants, were pregnant or lactating, had hypersensitivity to Dan Shen, or had significant cardiovascular or chronic disease. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive Dan Shen or placebo in a 1:1 randomization ratio. The intervention was provided via intravenous infusion once daily for 12 weeks. The dose of Dan Shen provided was 20 mL diluted in 200 mL of 5% glucose solution. The control protocol was identical in appearance, labeling, packaging, and administration. Blood pressure was continuously monitored via 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Fasting venous blood samples were collected to assess changes in lipid profile and fasting glucose. Quality of life assessments were also conducted along with hypertension-related symptoms using a standardized symptom severity scale. Both were conducted at baseline and after completion of the intervention. Patients were followed up with on a biweekly basis to inspect the infusion site and collect vital signs. Fasting blood draw for laboratory testing (lipid profile and fasting glucose) was also conducted during the biweekly visits, as well as quality of life assessments and documentation of adverse events. Injection site assessment was conducted on a weekly basis by nursing staff. Independent t-tests and paired t-tests were used to assess between-group and within group changes, respectively.

Out of 320 patients screened for this trial, 244 completed the study (intervention = 123; control = 121), with no statistical differences being observed in baseline characteristics between the control and intervention group. After 12 weeks, researchers observed a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure within the intervention group compared to baseline measures (P <0.001). Researchers observed a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure beginning at week 4 through week 12 between the intervention and control group (P <0.05). No significant changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed within the control group. Researchers also observed a significant decrease in hypertension-related symptoms including headache (P=0.02), dizziness (P=0.03), and fatigue (P=0.04) in the treatment group compared to placebo. Also, significant reduction in hypertension-related symptoms were observed within the treatment group at week 12 compared to baseline (P <0.01). Patients in the intervention group also experienced improvement in lipid profile and fasting blood glucose levels after 12 weeks of treatment (P <0.05). Compared to the control group, patients in the intervention had significantly higher HDL-C and significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels (P <0.05).

Table 1. Changes in lipid profile, blood pressure, fasting glucose and hypertension-related symptoms

FBG – fasting blood glucose

Furthermore, quality of life scores in physical function, role function, bodily pain, vitality, and social functioning were significantly improved after 12 weeks in the experimental group compared to control (P <0.05). Researchers reported a 94.2% adherence to the treatment protocol [113 out of 120 participants]. Researchers reported 13 mild to moderate adverse events within the intervention group. Adverse effects included mild headache (2 cases), dizziness (4 cases), fatigue (2 cases), nausea and abdominal distension (5 cases). Patients in the control group also reported similar adverse effects (GI discomfort = 4 case; fatigue = 2 cases; headache = 2 cases; dizziness = 3 cases). Symptoms occurred within the first 4 weeks of the trial and resolved within 1-2 weeks of onset. A single case of mild erythema and swelling at the injection site occurred in the intervention group, with no infection or phlebitis. Symptoms were resolved within 3 days following onset.

Results from the clinical trial showed that Dan Shen significantly improved systolic and diastolic blood pressure within 4 weeks of administration compared to placebo. Dan Shen was also linked to significantly decreased levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and fasting blood glucose, while simultaneously increasing HDL-C levels. Quality of life was improved in patients assigned Dan Shen with high compliance and adherence to treatment protocols and low incidence of adverse events. This indicates the feasibility and tolerability of Dan Shen for use in treatment of patients diagnosed with hypertension. Additional clinical trials will be needed to verify these results.

Source: Li, Pan, Zonghua Jiang, Linfei Dong, Shifeng Wang, Jiangli Qi, and Longhong Zhu. “Effects of Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) on blood pressure management in hypertensive patients: a randomized controlled trial.” Blood Pressure 34, no. 1 (2025): 2532523.

© 2025 The Author(s).

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Posted September 25, 2026.

Chrystal is a 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology with a focus on premedical studies and is a licensed project manager. She currently resides in Chicago.

References:

1. Xu Q, Yu Z, Zhang M, et al. Danshen-Shanzha formula for the treatment of atherosclerosis: ethnopharmacological relevance, preparation methods, chemical constituents, pharmacokinetic properties, and pharmacological effects. Front Pharmacol. 2024;15:1380977. doi:10.3389/fphar.2024.1380977
2. Yang Y, Du L, Zhao H, et al. Danshensu Derivatives: A Series of Promising Drugs With Protective Effects Against Cardiocerebrovascular Diseases and Cancers. Med Res Rev. Jul 2025;45(4):1163–1183. doi:10.1002/med.22102
3. Zhang J, An SJ, Fu JQ, et al. Mixed Aqueous Extract of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Reduces Blood Pressure through Inhibition of Vascular Remodelling and Oxidative Stress in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats. Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology. 2016;40(1-2):347–360. doi:10.1159/000452550
4. Li P, Jiang Z, Dong L, Wang S, Qi J, Zhu L. Effects of Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) on blood pressure management in hypertensive patients: a randomized controlled trial. Blood pressure. Dec 2025;34(1):2532523. doi:10.1080/08037051.2025.2532523