Salvia miltiorrhiza and Its Compounds as Complementary Therapy for Dyslipidemia: A Meta-Analysis of Clinical Efficacy and In Silico Mechanistic Insights

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Dyslipidemia is a significant risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), a leading cause of death worldwide. <i>Salvia miltiorrhiza</i> Burge is widely used in East Asia for cardiovascular health, showing potential benefits in lowering cholesterol and reducing inflammation. <b>Methods:</b> This study systematically reviewed and conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the clinical effectiveness of <i>Salvia miltiorrhiza</i> in treating dyslipidemia. Moreover, network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses were performed to explore the mechanisms underlying the effects of <i>Salvia miltiorrhiza</i>. <b>Results:</b> The meta-analysis revealed that when <i>Salvia miltiorrhiza</i> is combined with statin therapy, it significantly enhances lipid profiles, including reductions in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides and improvements in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), compared to statin therapy alone. The in silico analyses indicated that <i>Salvia miltiorrhiza</i> may influence key biological pathways, such as the PI3K/Akt, JAK/STAT, and HMGCR pathways, which are involved in inflammation, lipid metabolism, and the development of atherosclerosis. <b>Conclusions:</b><i>Salvia miltiorrhiza</i> shows potential as a complementary therapy for dyslipidemia, offering additional lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory benefits.