Inhibition of ethanol-induced toxicity by tanshinone ⅡA in PC12 cells

Aim:To observe the effects of tanshinone IIA(Tan IIA)on the neurotoxicityinduced by ethanol in PC 12 cells and to explore its protective role.Methods:PC 12cell survival was measured by MTT assay.The formation of reactive oxygenspecies(ROS)and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)release were detected by 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin(DCF)fluorescence and calorimetric method,respectively.Thepercentage of cell apoptosis was monitored by flow cytometry.The expression ofp53 was detected by immuno-fluorescence and flow cytometry.Results:Ethanolsignificantly impaired the survival of PC12 cells as demonstrated by MTT assay.Ethanol also induced significant ROS formation and increased LDH release.Pre-incubation with Tan IIA in the culture medium significantly reversed these changes.Ethanol caused cell apoptosis and the upregulation of p53 protein.The anti-apoptosis effects of Tan IIA on ethanol-induced toxicity were accompanied by thedownregulation of pro-apoptotic p53 protein expression.Conclusion:Tan IIAcan protect neurons from apoptosis and might serve as a potential therapeuticdrug for neurological disorders induced by ethanol.