**5. Conclusion**

The current epidemiologic data show the incremental trend of CVD and cancer prevalence, mortality as well as disease burden expected in the next 40 years. The prevention of disease becomes the main lesson from now on to the future. Danshen plays a role as anti-oxidative agent and its therapeutic effects in diseases including age-associated CVDs and cancer are confirmed in many studies. Traditional Chinese medicine might be an option for treatment.
