The thesis Classifier for garden varieties of peonies (Paeonia) describes in the introduction genus Paeonia, it´s origin, propagation, utilization and botanical dividing plants. Further, there are listed basic kinds of herbaceous and woody peonies that high light the diversity of this genus. Following its own investigation, which involves measuring and recording individual characters, such as the genus Paeonia features, which as color and size of flowers, flowering stems height, shape and color of seeds habit. Signs were recorded and assembled form classifier. The values were measured in the Botanical Garden Institute of Botany AV ČR v. i. i., Průhonice. Institute of Botany has been a tradition in the cultivation, breeding and maintaining collections of both woody and herbaceous peonies as well. Institute of Botany in is part of a National program for the conservation of genetic resources to which they were entered 2014 just peonies, because of which it was entered this thesis. The classifier will be used in the Institute of Botany to classify additional herbal and woody peonies (Paeonia).

Stamen from Paeonia ostii 'Fengdan Bai' and Paeonia rockii is rich in phenolic compounds and popularly used as tea materials with various pharmaceutical functions. In order to investigate whether stamen from other tree peony cultivars could be used as a natural antioxidant, the quality of stamen from thirty-five cultivars collected from the same garden was evaluated based on their phenolic composition and content by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis and in vitro antioxidant properties coupled with comprehensive chemometrics analysis. The results revealed that phenolic contents and antioxidant capacities of tree peony stamen were unique and cultivar dependent. Stamen from 'Zi Erqiao' exhibited the highest total phenolic and flavonol content, and strongest antioxidant activities, while that of 'Fengdan Bai' and P. rockii were at below-average levels among test samples. Further, thirty-seven cultivars of tree peony were divided into three major groups with a significant difference in total metabolites content and antioxidant properties, which were mainly contributed by six phytochemical compounds. Among these, naringin and benzoylpaeoniflorin were found to be critical chemical markers for the identification of tree peony stamen with high quality by chemometric analysis. Moreover, correlation analysis suggested that stamen from the earlier flowering cultivars with the hidden pistil, double petal, shorter thrum, more carpel and volume were possibly of higher quality. Together, cultivars with stamen enriched in phenolics and antioxidants properties, and their relevant critical phenotypic and phytochemical traits were screened out. This study would benefit the rapid identification of tree peony stamen with high quality and provide a valuable reference for its development and utilization as functional foods and pharmaceutical resources.

Finally, the neuroprotective effects of TGP against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells, an in vitro experimental model of depression were studied. The results showed TGP treatment dose-dependently protected the cells against corticosterone-induced toxicity. The cytoprotection afforded by TGP treatment was shown to be associated with an enhanced antioxidant activity, and increased expressions of neurotrophins including brain-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor and neurotrophin-3. / Secondly, the antidepressant-like effect of TGP was evaluated by a rat model of depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The results showed that a 5-week CUMS caused depression-like behavior in rats, as indicated by a significant decreases in sucrose consumption (assessed by sucrose preference test) and locomotor activity (assessed by open-field test), and an increase in immobility time (assessed by forced swim test). Intragastric administration of TGP during the five weeks of CUMS procedure significantly suppressed these behavioral changes induced by CUMS. / Taken together, the results confirmed the antidepressant-like effect of TGP. The antidepressive action of TGP may be mediated by the modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function, the inhibition of oxidative stress, and the up-regulation of neurotrophins, thereby leading to the neuroprotective effects. / The antidepressant-like effect of TGP was firstly evaluated by the behavioral despair test, forced swim test and tail suspension test. The results showed that intragastric administration of TGP caused a significant reduction of immobility time in both forced swim and tail suspension tests in mice. TGP treatment also significantly reduced the duration of immobility time in the forced swim test in rats. / The root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (Family: Ranunculaceae), commonly known as peony, is a component herb of many traditional formulae for the treatment of depression-like disorders. Previous studies have demonstrated the antidepressive effect of peony extract in mouse models of depression. Total glycosides of peony (TGP) is regarded as the major active ingredients of peony. The present study aims to confirm the antidepressive potential of TGP and evaluate its action mechanisms. / Thirdly, the neuroprotective effects of TGP on CUMS-treated rats and its possible mechanisms were investigated. The results showed that treatment with TGP for 5 weeks produced neuroprotective effects on the hippocampus of CUMS-treated rats. This effect was associated with the attenuation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivation (characterized by a decreased serum corticosterone level and an increased hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor expression), an inhibition of oxidative stress, and up-regulation of neurotrophins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3 in the hippocampus. / Mao, Qingqiu. / Adviser: Che Chun-Tao. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-01, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 158-186). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Li Lok Yee Mandy. / "June 2004." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 155-165). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.