ABSTRACT
Aim To observe the neuroprotective effect of sinomenine on hippocampal neurons from injury in-duced by oxygen glucose deprivation ( OGD ) and its underlying mechanism. Methods Hippocampal neu-rons were exposed to OGD for 4 h followed by 24 h re-oxygenation ( OGD-R) . Then cell viability was detec-ted by MTT. LDH release was detected by LDH kit. Cell apoptosis was detected by Hoechst stain. The ex-pression of Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 were detected by Western blot. [ Ca2+] i of hippocampal neurons was detected by calcium imaging. Acid-sensing ion chan-nels ( ASICs ) current was detected by patch clamp technique. Results SN increased cell viability and reduced LDH release. SN also inhibited neuron apop-tosis and increased ratio of Bcl-2/Bax and reduced the expression of caspase-3 . OGD-induced increase of [ Ca2+] i was inhibited by SN. Furthermore, SN inhib-ited ASIC1 a current and also inhibited OGD induced increase of ASICs current in hippocampal neurons. Conclusion SN protects hippocampal neurons against OGD-R-induced injury. The inhibitory effect of SN on ASIC1 a and calcium overload was involved in the pro-tective effect of SN.