Protective effect of Salvianolic acid B against atherosclerosis: a preclinical systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundAtherosclerosis is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease, with high morbidity and mortality rates globally. Salvianolic acid B (Sal B), the most active and abundant component of the water-soluble extract of the traditional Chinese medicine Danshen, has been demonstrated to exert...

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Main Authors: Xing Ji, Kailin Huang, Aimei Lu, Xiaomeng Hu, Huanlin Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Pharmacology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1548811/full
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author Xing Ji
Xing Ji
Kailin Huang
Kailin Huang
Aimei Lu
Aimei Lu
Xiaomeng Hu
Xiaomeng Hu
Huanlin Wu
author_facet Xing Ji
Xing Ji
Kailin Huang
Kailin Huang
Aimei Lu
Aimei Lu
Xiaomeng Hu
Xiaomeng Hu
Huanlin Wu
author_sort Xing Ji
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundAtherosclerosis is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease, with high morbidity and mortality rates globally. Salvianolic acid B (Sal B), the most active and abundant component of the water-soluble extract of the traditional Chinese medicine Danshen, has been demonstrated to exert atheroprotective effects; nonetheless, its protective potential remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the preclinical efficacy of Sal B in the treatment of atherosclerosis and summarize the relevant mechanisms of action to provide evidence for its use in the treatment of atherosclerosis.MethodsA systematic search was conducted across eight databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, etc., for studies related to Sal B in animal models of atherosclerosis, published from the inception of these databases up to November 2024. Parameters such as atherosclerotic lesion area, lipid deposition, plaque size, lipid metabolism, and changes in inflammatory markers were used to assess the extent of the atherosclerotic lesions. The SYRCLE risk-of-bias tool was used to determine methodological quality. Data were analyzed using the STATA software. Time-dose effect analysis was performed to explore the relationship between Sal B and atherosclerosis.ResultsEleven studies involving 275 animals were analyzed. The results of these studies indicate that Sal B has a significant positive impact on various indicators of atherosclerosis. A meta-analysis of preclinical studies showed that Sal B reduced atherosclerotic lesion area (P < 0.05), lipid deposition (P < 0.05) and plaque size (P < 0.05), lipid levels (TC, TG, LDL) (P < 0.05) and inflammatory responses (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) (P < 0.05), as well as inhibiting phosphorylation of NF-κB and IκB proteins (P < 0.05). Time-dose interval analyses showed that Sal B was relatively effective at doses ranging from 2 to 100 mg/kg, with an intervention period of 4–14 weeks, administered either via gavage or intraperitoneal injection.ConclusionOur findings suggest that Sal B effectively delays the progression of atherosclerosis and represents a promising anti-atherosclerotic drug candidate. Further studies are required to translate these promising preclinical findings into the clinical treatment of atherosclerosis.
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spelling doaj-art-b7a5ced4307b4e7e91655dfdf57237642025-08-20T03:21:51ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122025-06-011610.3389/fphar.2025.15488111548811Protective effect of Salvianolic acid B against atherosclerosis: a preclinical systematic review and meta-analysisXing Ji0Xing Ji1Kailin Huang2Kailin Huang3Aimei Lu4Aimei Lu5Xiaomeng Hu6Xiaomeng Hu7Huanlin Wu8Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaGraduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaDongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaGraduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaDongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaGraduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaDongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaGraduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaDongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaBackgroundAtherosclerosis is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease, with high morbidity and mortality rates globally. Salvianolic acid B (Sal B), the most active and abundant component of the water-soluble extract of the traditional Chinese medicine Danshen, has been demonstrated to exert atheroprotective effects; nonetheless, its protective potential remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the preclinical efficacy of Sal B in the treatment of atherosclerosis and summarize the relevant mechanisms of action to provide evidence for its use in the treatment of atherosclerosis.MethodsA systematic search was conducted across eight databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, etc., for studies related to Sal B in animal models of atherosclerosis, published from the inception of these databases up to November 2024. Parameters such as atherosclerotic lesion area, lipid deposition, plaque size, lipid metabolism, and changes in inflammatory markers were used to assess the extent of the atherosclerotic lesions. The SYRCLE risk-of-bias tool was used to determine methodological quality. Data were analyzed using the STATA software. Time-dose effect analysis was performed to explore the relationship between Sal B and atherosclerosis.ResultsEleven studies involving 275 animals were analyzed. The results of these studies indicate that Sal B has a significant positive impact on various indicators of atherosclerosis. A meta-analysis of preclinical studies showed that Sal B reduced atherosclerotic lesion area (P < 0.05), lipid deposition (P < 0.05) and plaque size (P < 0.05), lipid levels (TC, TG, LDL) (P < 0.05) and inflammatory responses (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) (P < 0.05), as well as inhibiting phosphorylation of NF-κB and IκB proteins (P < 0.05). Time-dose interval analyses showed that Sal B was relatively effective at doses ranging from 2 to 100 mg/kg, with an intervention period of 4–14 weeks, administered either via gavage or intraperitoneal injection.ConclusionOur findings suggest that Sal B effectively delays the progression of atherosclerosis and represents a promising anti-atherosclerotic drug candidate. Further studies are required to translate these promising preclinical findings into the clinical treatment of atherosclerosis.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1548811/fullanimal modelSalvianolic acid B (Sal B)atherosclerosismeta-analysispreclinical studies
spellingShingle Xing Ji
Xing Ji
Kailin Huang
Kailin Huang
Aimei Lu
Aimei Lu
Xiaomeng Hu
Xiaomeng Hu
Huanlin Wu
Protective effect of Salvianolic acid B against atherosclerosis: a preclinical systematic review and meta-analysis
Frontiers in Pharmacology
animal model
Salvianolic acid B (Sal B)
atherosclerosis
meta-analysis
preclinical studies
title Protective effect of Salvianolic acid B against atherosclerosis: a preclinical systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Protective effect of Salvianolic acid B against atherosclerosis: a preclinical systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Protective effect of Salvianolic acid B against atherosclerosis: a preclinical systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Protective effect of Salvianolic acid B against atherosclerosis: a preclinical systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Protective effect of Salvianolic acid B against atherosclerosis: a preclinical systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort protective effect of salvianolic acid b against atherosclerosis a preclinical systematic review and meta analysis
topic animal model
Salvianolic acid B (Sal B)
atherosclerosis
meta-analysis
preclinical studies
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1548811/full
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