Abstract: To investigate the protective effects of hydroxysafflor yellow A(HSYA) on oxidative neurotoxicity induced by glutamate(Glu) to neurons in vitro. MethodsPrimary cultures of Wistar rat cortical neurons with a 14-15d pregnancy were used in this study. Morphological changes were observed by MTT assay and Ho33342/PI double labeled staining. SOD and GSH levels were determined, fluorescence of Cytochrome C was assayed by immol/Lunofluorescence and the apoptosis ratio was analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). ResultsCompared with the Glu damaged group, HSYA obviously improved the relative survivability of neurons, kept high degrees of SOD and GSH in the neurons, counteracted the release of Cytochrome C and reduced the apoptosis ratio induced by glutamate, and 160μg/mL HSYA had the best protective effect. ConclusionHSYA can obviously protect neurons from oxidative neurotoxicity induced by glutamate, and its mechanism may relate to oxidative stress and apoptosis decrease.

Key words: Glutamic acid, Nervous system diseases, Neurons, Cell culture, Hydroxysafflor yellow A