[Analysis of varieties and standards of Primulaceae medicinal plants used in Tibetan medicine].

In this paper, the varieties and origin of Primulaceae plants that used in Tibetan medicine were analyzed. The results showed that there were 3 genera and 44 species (including the varieties) of Primulaceae plants were recorded in the relevant literatures. Among them, 17 varieties were recorded in Tibetan names, 24 varieties were recorded in Chinese names and 1 variety was used in both of them. In current quality criteria of standards at all levels in China country, 6 varieties were recorded in Tibetan names and 6 original plants were involved, which were 35% and 14% of them respectively. Seventeen varieties were recorded in Chinese name and 7 original plants were involved, which were 30% and 16% of them respectively. In Tibetan medicine standards and literatures, there were big differences between Tibetan names and Chinese names which were translated from Tibetan names and its original plants. There were only regulations of morphological identification and microscopic authentication, so the standards were very inadequate. Therefore, through literatures research, resources and current situation investigations, combining the research and specification of the name and original of Tibetan medicine, the level of normalization and standardization could be enhanced, the stable and controllable safety and utility in clinical medication could be ensured to promote advancement of industry technology Tibetan medicine.

The seed oil of Paeonia ludlowii ameliorates Aß25-35-induced Alzheimer's disease in rats.

Paeonia ludlowii, a plant of the Paeoniaceae family, has abundant genetic diversity in different populations, and the seed oil can be used in a diverse number of activities. However, its neuroprotective effect is not clear. We investigated the memory-improving effects and associated mechanisms of Paeonia ludlowii seed oil (PLSO) on amyloid beta (Aß)25-35-induced Alzheimer's disease (AD) in rats. The Morris water maze test was undertaken, and subsequently, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) in the hippocampus was detected by biochemical analyses. To further study PLSO, we examined the pathologic structure and apoptosis of hippocampal tissue by staining. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to detect expression of IBA-1 and GFAP in the hippocampus. Detection of proinflammatory factors was achieved by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. High-dose PLSO inhibited expression of GFAP and IBA-1. We demonstrated that high-dose PLSO can regulate activation of glial cells and mediate apoptosis of hippocampal cells, and significantly improve learning and memory deficits in AD rats. PLSO could be developed as a nutritional supplement and sold as a drug for AD prevention and/or treatment.