Chinese salvia root, also known as Salvia miltiorrhiza or Danshen, has a history of use in traditional Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation and treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. More recently, research interest has turned to its potential neuroprotective effects, especially regarding Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Several preclinical studies have identified bioactive compounds in Danshen, such as tanshinones and salvianolic acids, which exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-amyloid properties—all relevant to the pathogenesis of AD.

Animal studies and in vitro experiments indicate these compounds can reduce amyloid-beta aggregation, protect neurons from oxidative stress, and modulate neuroinflammation, thereby suggesting possible benefits for slowing AD progression. A few small-scale clinical trials and case reports have investigated Danshen-containing formulations, with some modest improvements in cognitive function noted, but these studies often have methodological limitations, such as small sample sizes, lack of rigorous controls, and the use of multi-herbal mixtures rather than isolated Danshen extracts.

In summary, while the traditional use of Danshen is not specifically for Alzheimer's, scientific investigations provide some mechanistic rationale and preliminary evidence for its potential role in neuroprotection. However, robust clinical evidence in humans is lacking, so the overall evidence rating is low (2 out of 5). It remains an area of active research, but Danshen should not be considered a proven therapy for Alzheimer's Disease at this time.