Purpose: The rationale of the present review is to analize the activity of Rosmarinus officinalis in the the cardiovascular system
Methods: A MEDLINE database search (from January 1970 to December 2011) using only rosmarinic acid as searched term.
Results: The references search revealed 509 references about rosmarinic acid in 40 years (the first reference is from 1970). There is a powerful prevalence of antioxidant and cancer studies. Other diseases are few cited, as inflammation, brain (Alzheimer and Parkinson disease) and, memory; allergy; diabetes; atherosclerosis, and; hypertension. It is necessary to consider the complete absence of studies on coronary artery disease, myocardial ischemia, heart failure or ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Conclusion: Rosmarinic acid is underestimated as an experimental cardiovascular drug and deserves more attention.