Abstract: TanshinoneⅡA is the fat soluble diterpene quinone constituent separated and extracted from Chinese herbal medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza. Pharmacological studies showed that it plays an active role in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, neuronal protection and the protection of ischemia reperfusion. Because tanshinoneⅡA has various biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, these actions could enlarge its range of applications. In this review, the pharmacological actions and the mechanism of tanshinoneⅡA were summarized to provide references for the further development and utilization of Salvia miltiorrhiza and tanshinoneⅡA, and to make the most of the medicinal value of Salvia miltiorrhiza and tanshinoneⅡA.

Key words: Salvia miltiorrhiza, tanshinoneⅡA； pharmacological action； research prospect