Objective:The present study was designed to observe the effect of Paeornla Licore Tang (PR/L) and its disassembled formula Shaoyao (PR)

Ganchao (L) on damage of rat IEC-6 cells induced by H2O2

and also to investigate the potential mechanism. Method: IEC-6 cells were cultured with blank control medium

PR/L

PR

or L of the fixed dosages previously for 24 h

and then stimulated with 200 μmol·L-1 H2O2 for 2 h. Cell survival was measured by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by using flow cytometry with Annexin V / PI staining. Expression of Caspase-3 mRNA was detected by RT-qPCR. Result: Compared with the controls

the H2O2 model showed decrease in survival and expression of Caspase-3 mRNA

and increase in apoptosis. Compared with the H2O2 model

after treatment of PR 200 μg·mL-1 or 100 μg·mL-1

Gancao of 100 μg·mL-1 or 50 μg·mL-1

or both PR and L for 24 h

cell damage and cell apoptosis were reduced significantly

and expression of Caspase-3 mRNA and protein was both increased. Conclusion: Shaoyao

Gancao

and Shaoyao Ganchao Tang can protect IEC-6 cells from damage by H2O2

which may be due to the decrease in Caspase-3 expression.