Salvianolic acid is a group of water-soluble phenolic compounds predominantly found in Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), a herb traditionally used in Chinese medicine. There is some preclinical scientific evidence supporting the use of salvianolic acid in liver protection and detoxification. Studies in cell cultures and animal models suggest that salvianolic acid A and B exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic effects in the liver. They are shown to scavenge free radicals, inhibit lipid peroxidation, and modulate pathways that reduce hepatic stellate cell activation—key components in the pathogenesis of liver injury and fibrosis.

Some research has demonstrated that salvianolic acid can attenuate liver damage in models of chemical-induced toxicity (e.g., carbon tetrachloride or acetaminophen exposure in rodents), reduce serum markers of liver injury (ALT, AST), and decrease histological evidence of hepatic fibrosis. However, the majority of this evidence is limited to animal studies and in vitro experiments. There are very few, if any, well-designed human clinical trials directly evaluating salvianolic acid for liver detoxification or protection from liver toxins.

In summary, while there is a scientific rationale and some preclinical data supporting the potential of salvianolic acid for liver health, the lack of robust human clinical evidence means the overall strength of evidence is modest, warranting a rating of 2 out of 5.