Objective: To observe the protective effect and related mechanism of tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside (TSG) on SH-SY5Y cells damaged by 6-hydroxydopamine(6-OHDA). Method: The SH-SY5Y cell damage model was established with 100 μmol · L-1 6-OHDA. The SH-SY5Y cells were pretreated by TSG with the concentrations of 6.25

12.5

25

50

100

200 μmol · L-1. The blank group was also set up. The protective effect of different concentrations of TSG on cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The changes in the concentration of intracellular calcium was observed by the laser scanning confocal microscopy. The concentration of excitatory amino acids glutamate (Glu) and inhibitory amino acid γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in supernatant of different-treated cells were tested by HPLC-FLD. Result: Compared with the blank group

the model group showed lower cell viability and higher free calcium (P<0.01) and extracellular Glu and GABA concentrations(P<0.01). Compared with the model group

the 24-hour pre-treatment with TSG can inhibit the decrease in the cell viability caused by 6-OHDA

with the most significant protective effect in 12.5 μmol · L-1 (P<0.05)

decrease intracellular free calcium content and extracellular Glu and GABA concentrations(P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: TSG can protect SH-SY5Y cells damaged by 6-OHDA by relieving calcium overload and excitatory toxicity.