Objective: To investigate the protective effect of rutin on SH-SY5Y cells injured by 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium (MPP+). Method: SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to various doses of rutin for 4 h

and then treated with 1 mmol·L-1 MPP+ for 48 h. The cell viability was detected with methye thiazdye telrazlium (MTT) assay

and the nuclear morphology was assessed with Hoechst 33342 staining. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured with fluorescence microscope

and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was determined with flow cytometry. The protein levels of Cytochrome C (Cyt-C) and phosphorylated extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) were detected by Western blot. Result: Compared with the blank group

the cell viability of the MPP+-treated group was reduced to 49.6%

the shrunk cell body and nuclear condensation were also observed after Hoechst 33342 staining. Meanwhile

the ROS level was significantly increased

and the membrane potential was obviously reduced. Western blot results showed that the expression of Cyt-C was increased

whereas p-ERK1/2 was decreased(P<0.01). However

pretreatment with rutin prior to MPP+ exposure reduced the cell viability

ameliorated the cell morphology

inhibited the increasement of ROS and restored the membrane potential. Moreover

pretreatment with rutin can inhibit the increase of Cyt-C and the decrease of p-ERK1/2 induced by MPP+ in SH-SY5Y cells(P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: Rutin can protect the SH-SY5Y cells against the damage induced by MPP+

which may be correlated with anti-oxidant activity and ERK activation pathway.