OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in shapes and properties and the microscopic frameworks of the wild and cultivated Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae from different regions.

METHODThe differences in the shapes and properties, the characters of transverse sections, the powder and disintegrated tissue of roots were compared using microscopic measurement and statistics analysis.

RESULTThe wild Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae had several long cylinder roots with rough flaky squama skin and brown red or wine culour, the cultivated had root of many branch with cling skin and brick-red or chestnut culour. The difference of microscopic histological structure was that the xylem vessel of wild Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae had bunched vessel with the rank form of big diameter alternating with small diameter, and had stone cell on samples from some producing region, the xylem vessel of the cultivated had no bunched vessel and no stone cell with the rank form of tangential radial. Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae cultivated in Sichuan Province is called original-region medicinal materials and named Chuandanshen. Chuandanshen had the differences with the Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix cultivated in other region. The root of Chuandanshen had 1.2 cm diameter, and was bulky and fat with solid fabric and the fracture with brownish yellow color and cutin-alikeness, its xylem vessel of transverse section of root was thin with the rank form of tangential radial, and 19-24 vascular bundle and a few wood fiber.

CONCLUSIONSalviae Miltiorrhizae Radix of the wild and the cultivated, of the original-region (Chuandanshen) and the other-region, have the differences in the shapes and properties, and the microscopic frameworks. The character can be identified by the differences in the shapes of medicinal materials, and the rank form of vascular bundle of transverse section of root.

China ; Microscopy ; Quality Control ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; growth & development

Objective To describe a rhesus monkey model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) established via repetitive unilateral intra-amygdala kainic acid (KA) injection and provide experimental basis for epileptogenic network and related research. Methods Eight male adult rhesus monkeys were randomly divided into KA injection group (n=6) and saline injection group (n=2). Brain stereotaxic technique, micro catheter implantation into the right amygdaloid nucleus, subcutaneous bladder connection, and continuous video-EEG monitoring were performed, and KA or saline injection into their right amygdala was achieved. Interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs), ictal discharges and behavioural performance between the two groups were compared right after injection and within 6 months of first discharge. Results Typical IEDs were recorded in the 6 monkeys from KA injection group after 2-4 times of KA injection, with focal spike waves discharges at the right temple area as manifestation; ictal discharges were recorded in 4 monkeys, with discharge patterns of discharges from the right temple area to the whole brain as manifestation, and during epileptic attack, these 4 monkeys suddenly stopped and dumbfounded without obvious limb seizures. Monkeys from the saline injection group showed no obvious abnormal behaviors. Conclusion Through a modified protocol of unilateral repetitive intra-amygdala KA injection, a rhesus monkey model with high similarity of behavioral and brain electrical features to TLE is developed.