Salvianolic Acid B (Phenolic Acid)

Salvianolic Acid B (SAB) is a pure isolated polyphenolic compound, not a whole food, and therefore has no macronutrient or micronutrient profile in the conventional sense. Key compositional data: Molecular formula C36H30O16, molecular weight 718.62 g/mol. It is the most abundant and pharmacologically active water-soluble phenolic acid isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen root), where it occurs at concentrations of approximately 1–3% dry weight of the root (roughly 10–30 mg/g dried root material). As a pure compound, it contains no protein, fat, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, vitamins, or minerals. Bioactive compound classification: caffeic acid oligomer (triester of caffeic acid with 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid and danshensu), belonging to the broader class of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. Bioavailability is notably poor via oral route due to high molecular weight, low lipophilicity, susceptibility to gut microbiota metabolism, and first-pass hepatic degradation; oral bioavailability reported at approximately 2–5% in animal models. It is partially converted by intestinal flora into smaller phenolic metabolites including danshensu and caffeic acid, which may contribute to observed bioactivity. Intravenous administration yields substantially higher plasma concentrations. Plasma half-life is approximately 1–2 hours in preclinical models. No dietary reference intake or recommended daily allowance has been established, as it is not classified as a nutrient.