RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the apoptosis of cortical neurons induced by beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta(1-40)) and the protective effect of panoxadiol.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The Abeta(1-40) induced damage of primarily cultured mouse cortical neurons was examined with morphological observation, MTT assay, DNA agarose gel electrophoresis and Western-blot.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>After 48 h treated with 12 mumol/L Abeta(1-40), the cortical neurons showed apoptotic characteristics: including decreased OD570 value in MTT assay, DNA cleavage fragment in electrophoresis and increased apoptotic cells. Western-blot showed that the expression of bcl-2 reduced significantly (P<0.05). Cell apoptosis was significantly attenuated in 40 mg/L panoxadiol treated group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Panoxadiol can protect cultured cortical neurons from apoptosis induced by Abeta(1-40) in mice.</p>