[1] More than 10 distinct salvianolic acids (Sal), identified by letters from A to J, have been recognized.

Sal-A is formed by a molecule of danshensu and a dimer of caffeic acid.

Sal-C results from the combination of two molecules of danshensu, while Sal-D is characterized as a dimer of caffeic acid.

They are primarily synthesized through the phenylpropanoid and tyrosine-derived branches of the phenolic acid biosynthetic pathway.

[3] This reaction involves laccases, which are widely spread in many genera such as Arabidopsis, poplars, sorghum, etc., but appears to be highly expressed in Salvia miltiorrhiza and Salvia bowleyana.