Objective: To investigate the material basis of Polygonum orientale protecting cardiac H9c2 cells against oxidative injury induced by hydrogen peroxide(H2O2) basing on traditional Chinese medicine serum chemical and serum pharmacological methods. Method: The absorbed components of P. orientale into blood were determined by comparing the ultra performance liquid chromatography(UPLC) fingerprints of the extract

medicinal serum and blank serum. Simultaneously

the oxidative injury models induced by H2O2 was established by cultivating cardiac H9c2 cells in vitro and then the cell viability

lactic dehydrogense(LDH) release

malondialdehyde(MDA) production as well as superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity were analyzed. Moreover

the morphology of cardiac H9c2 cells damaged by H2O2 were observed under an inverse fluorescence microscope after dyed by AO/EB. All of them were used to evaluate the protective effect of P. orientale on H2O2-induced injury. Result: Twenty five transitional components of P. orientale absorbed into blood after intragastrical administration were detected

nine of which were original components and sixteen are possible metabolites. Furthermore

compared with the model group

medicated serum decreased the release of LDH

MDA (P<0.05). However

it increased the activity of SOD and cell viability (P<0.05 or P<0.01)

while apoptosis of cardiac H9c2 cells were obviously inhibited. Conclusion: The absorbed components into blood may be material basis of P. orientale used for protecting cardiac H9c2 cells against oxidative injury.