The definition of epigenetics and its cellular basis are introduced firstly in the paper. Then, the research progress on the relationship between cognition and epigenetic changes is re-viewed in detail. In conclusion, epigenetic modifications occur-ring in hippocampus, cortex and other brain areas such as methy-lation , phosphorylation , ubiquitination , poly ( ADP-ribos ) poly-merases and DNA methylation may certainly change animal be-haviors including learning, memory, synaptic plasticity, depres-sion, drug abuse and so on. Long-term memory and long-term potentiation( LTP) , activation of AMPK-ERK signal transduction path-way and activation of key gene regulated by CREB-ABP transcriptional complex as well as transcription and expression of memory and synaptic plasticity related genes ( Zif/268, Creb, Bdnf, reelin ) are required. In contrast, epigenetic abnormal changes such as histone and DNA hypomethylation and increase of HDAC activity are observed in brains of aging and neurodegen-erative diseases. Therefore, the main epigenetic treatments for cognitive impairments are increasing histone and DNA methyla-tion, using HDAC inhibitors and RNA interference ( RNAi) to promote formation of long term memory and long term potentia-tion, block learning and memory decline.

Ginseng has long been used as a tonic and agent for prolonging life span in chinese traditional medicine． Using morden technology，ginsenoside Rgl and Rbl were proved to be main active principles of ginseng．Both conpounds showed the same effect in improving learning and memory， increasing Bmax of M-cholinergic receptors and accelerating cerebral protein and acetylcholine biosynthesis．However，Rgl but not Rbl had immunoregulatory action in aged rats and anti-osteoporosis effect in ovariectomized rats as well as enhanced basic synaptic transmission and magnitude of LTP induced by HFS． On the other hand，Rbl had anti-stress effects in antagonizing acute,chronic and repeated stress induced reduction of sexual behaviour and decrease of plasma andogen or estrogen．Rgl showed no such effect even aggravate stress induced damage．Rhl possessed anti-oxidant activity and prolong survival time of mice in cold(－10℃) condition．There was no any anti-cold effect with Rgl .These diference of biological activities between Rgl and Rbl may be arributed to their structures containing different number of glucoses．

Melatonin (MT) is secreted by the pineal gland and has obvious biological rhythmicity including circadian, season rhythm and life rhythm (aging clock). The reduction of MT secretion is related to body aging, particularly in close relation to brain aging. The hypothesis of aging is involved in pineal calcification, biological clock, neuro-en-docrinoimmunology, and free radical damage. MT is an endogenous free radical scavenger, may anto-gonize the attack of hydroxyl free radical ( ?OH)on organism and glutamate (Glu) excitotoxicity, and has a potent protective effect of central nervous system. In vivo studies showed that the food restriction and exogenous MT could obviously prolong life, postpone aging, and reduce the chances of age-related diseases. Investigating of MT anti-aging effect shows a vast prospect.

The growth associated protein(GAP 43) and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) play an important role both in promoting neurite outgrowth and synaptic plasticity. GAP 43 is a neuron specific phosphoprotein that is highly expressed during the development of the central nervous system, nerve regeneration and the modulation of synaptic function, and it is frequently used as a marker for sprouting. GAP 43 may be involved in G protein interaction, membrane binding, calmodulin binding and protein kinase C phosphorylation. The various interactions, specified by the structural domains, are thought to underlie the role of GAP 43 in synaptic plasticity, participating in membrane extension during neuritogenesis, in neurotransmitter release and long term potentiation. NCAMs involve in the intracellular signaling cascades and stimulate the axonal growth, GAP 43 function is essential for NCAM stimulated neurite outgrowth and that much of this appears because of the phosphorylation of GAP 43 via the FGF receptor dependent stimulation of arachidonic acid. NCAM can accelerate the phosphorylation of GAP 43.

Stem cells exist not only in the developing mammalian embryo but also in certain areas of various adult tissues. In embryo, they can take part in the development of tissues and the whole organism while in adult, they are thought to be involved in cell metabolism. With the development of research in embryo and nervous system, the field of stem cells has become a hot point in scientific world. A brief summary is made on stem cell biology and its potential medical importance.

Danshen-Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae，is one of the common traditional Chinese medicines，which has been used clinically in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases more than 20 centuries.The active ingredients of Danshen has been researched 5 decades by the modern methods.Many researchers investigated the pharmacological effects of water soluble ingredients of Danshen-salvianolic acids in vivo and in vitro.The results demonstrated that salvianolic acids have different pharmacological effects such as potent antioxidative effects，scavenging free radicals，protect neural cells against injuries caused by anoxia， etc.In present paper，the pharmacological effects of salvianolic acids and the mechanisms of their actions are reviewed based on the research results obtained in our laboratory and other authors.

Object It was reported that salvianolic acid A from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge could improve memory dysfunction of mice with cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury The effects of total salvianolic acids (Sal), including salvianolic acid A and B, rosmaric acid and protocatechic aldehyde was now studied to observe its effect on cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in hope of obtaining a preliminary view on its mechanism of action Methods The effects of Sal on lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) of cerebral ischemia reperfusion injured mouse and rat models were observed Results Sal 10, 20 mg/kg iv and 5, 10 mg/kg iv could markedly increase the activities of LDH and SOD and lower the production of MDA in the injured cerebral tissue On focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion injured rat, 24 h reperfusion after 2 h ischemic injury, 5, 10 mg/kg iv Sal could decrease infarct size, ameliorate neurological deficit with obvious inhibition of the decrease of LDH and SOD activities and the over production of MDA Conclusion Sal showed obvious protective effects on cerebral ischemia reperfusion injuries of mice and rats via attenuating oxygen free radical

Misoprostol, a prostaglandin E1 analogue, have variety clinical applications. In early 80's, misoprostol is currently licensed primarily to prevent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-associated gastric and duodenal ulcers. Further work shows the drugs have protection to hepatic and renal and prevention of inflammatory and allergic disorders. When combined with mifepristone,complete abortion rate is 95%. On the other hand, misoprostol is also an effective agent for cervical ripening and labor induction. It have no serious side effect, as a result, misoprostol is a drug of high effect and low toxicity, deserving popularization, but man and pregnant woman must prudent.

AIM To study the effect and mechanism of sildenafil on rabbit corpus cavernosum in vitro . METHOD Rabbit corpus cavernosum(RCC) segments were incubated with various concentrations of sildenafil. The formation of cGMP was stimulated with 1 ?mol?L -1 sodium nitroprusside(SNP), and the cyclic GMP concentration was measured by radioimmunoassy technology. In the organ bath, strips of RCC were precontracted with 10 ?mol?L -1 phenylephrine. Sildenafil were added with increasing doses gradually, graded relaxations were induced using various concentrations of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and methacholine (MCH). RESULT In the presence of SNP, the cGMP concentration was increased in rabbit penile tissue, the increase of cGMP was greater when sildenafil was added. Sildenafil 10、100 nmol L -1 、1 ?mol?L -1 dose-dependently relaxed RCC strips. CONCLUSION Sildenafil increases cGMP concentration in RCC is attributed to the augmentation of NO/cGMP pathway, and the accumulation of cGMP improves the relaxation of RCC.

The atherogensis was involved in a complex pathological process. Injury to endothelial cells of blood vessels was confirmed to be the initial stage of this process. Migration to subendothelial layer and accumulation and proliferation of smooth muscle cells were attributed to various cytokines and adhesive molecules secreted by activated endothelial cells, subsequently resulting in aggregation of lymphocytes, platelets, monocytes and macrophages in the intima of artery. These cellular components ultimatedly led to the formation of a mature atherosclerotic plaque. It's quite acknowledged that a better understanding of the atherogenic events might promise us the development of new chemical entities of anti-atherosclerotic therapies. A large body of evidence has demonstrated that sulfated polysaccharides played a critical role in the development of atheroscle- rosis. The underlying mechanisms of the antiatherosclerotic activity of sulfated polysaccharides were reported to contribute to protecting against endothelial cells injury, inhibiting migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, and reducing the adhesion of inflammatory Cells, platelets and lymphocytes. And also, the prevention of complement activation by sulfated polysaccharides could not be excluded. On the other hand, the promoting effects of sulfated polysaccharides atherosclerosis was also reported. It's therefore concluded that the relationships between atherioscierosis and sulfated polysaccharides remained to be further elucidated.