Effect and mechanism of biochanin A on rat hippocampal neurons injuries impaired by H2O2 / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Biochanin A (Bio A) on rat hippocampal neurons injuries impaired by H2O2 and Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 protein expression. METHODS: Hippocampal neurons of newly born rat were cultured in vivo and were injured by H2O2. Different concentration of Bio A on cell viability was measured by CCK-8; cell apoptosis rate was tested by flow cytometry analysis; Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 protein expression were tested by Western blot method. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, Bio A significantly improved hippocampal neurons cell viability and inhibited cell apoptosis and necrosis. In addition, Bio A clearly enhanced the protein expression of Bcl-2 and decrease the protein expression of Bax and caspase-3. CONCLUSION: The protective effect of Bio A on rat hippocampal neurons injuries impaired by H2O2 may be related to the inhibition of hippocampal neurons apoptosis. The mechanism of Bio A against cell apoptosis may involve the increased Bcl-2 protein expression and reduced Bax, caspase-3 protein expression.