ABSTRACT
AIM:To investigate the protective effect of procyanidins on the PC 12 cells exposed to Aβ25-35and the mechanisms.METHODS:Aβ25-35at 25 μmol/L was used to treat the PC12 cells for 48 h, and the PC12 cells were pretreated with procyanidins at 25,50 and 100 mg/L for 24 h.The cell vitality was measured by MTT assay.The content of reactive oxygen species(ROS)was detected by DCFH-DA staining.The change of mitochondrial membrane potential was examined by JC-10 staining.The apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry with Annexin V /PI double staining.The protein levels of activated caspase-3 was determined by Western blot.RESULTS:Under the exposure of the PC12 cells to Aβ25-35,procyanidins increased the cell viability,reduced intracellular ROS level, prevented mitochondrial membrane po-tential decline,attenuated the caspase-3 activation and inhibited the apoptosis of PC 12 cells(P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Procyanidins have a significant protective effect on the PC 12 cells exposed to Aβ25-35.Its mechanism may be related to removing intracellular ROS induced by A β25-35, relieving the damage to the mitochondrial membrane, and thereby inhibiting cell apoptosis.