RESUMO
Objective: To study the effect of astragaloside (AST) on the injury induced by amyloid β-protein (Aβ) plus Dexamethasone (DEX) in rat hippocampal neurons. Methods: In vitro, the effects of AST on hippocampal neurons cell death with Aβ plus DEX were detected by MTT assay and intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i); The effects of AST on phospho-tau (P-tau) protein were analyzed to explore the mechanisms responsible for DEX enhanced Aβ-induced cell death in hippocampal neurons. Results: AST (10, 20, and 40 μg/mL) could protect hippocampal neurons against DEX (10 μmol/L) plus Aβ25-35 (5 μmol/L) - induced hippocampal neuronal injury of felal rat in vitro (P<0.01). AST could inhibit the increased levels of [Ca2+]i and P-tau protein level induced by DEX (10 μmol/L) plus Aβ25-35 (5 μmol/L) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: AST could protect hippocampal neuron against synergistic neurotoxicity of Aβ and DEX.