Danshensu sodium (Dan shen suan A) is a phenolic compound with oral bioactivity that activates Nrf2/HO-1 and inhibits the NF-κB pathway. It reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, enhances antioxidant defenses, and suppresses intrinsic apoptotic pathways. Additionally, Danshensu sodium exhibits significant antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 with an EC50 of 0.97 μM. It offers antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory benefits for the lungs, presenting potential for research in COVID-19, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular diseases.

Danshensu (Dan shen suan A) sodium effectively inhibits the entry of SARS-CoV-2 S protein pseudotyped virus (SARS-CoV-2 S) into ACE2 overexpressing HEK-293T cells (IC 50 = 0.31 μM) and Vero-E6 cells (IC 50 = 4.97 μM). Within a concentration range of 0-100 μM over 24 hours, higher concentrations (50 and 100 μM) of Danshensu sodium significantly reduce the migration and invasion of FaDu and Ca9-22 cells. Additionally, Danshensu sodium decreases ERK phosphorylation and p38 phosphorylation in FaDu cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, it exhibits no cytotoxic effects on human oral cancer cells over 24, 48, and 72 hours.

Danshensu (Dan shen suan A; 25, 50, 100 mg/kg; administered orally daily for 7 consecutive days or as a single intravenous injection) sodium, when administered prior to SARS-CoV-2 S infection, can mitigate the pathological changes in mice infected with SARS-CoV-2 S in a dose-dependent manner.