Objective: To examine the effect of Zhengan Xifeng Tang on 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced apoptosis of PC12 cell

and its antioxidant activity on neuroprotection. Method: A total of 40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group and high

middle and low-dose Zhengan Xifeng Tang groups (32

16

8 g·kg-1). Rats were given Zhengan Xifeng Tang with intragastric administration to prepare Zhengan Xifeng Tang-containing serum. The control group was given the same volume of normal saline. The proliferation of PC12 cells were cultured and divided into the blank group

the model group and high

middle and low-dose Zhengan Xifeng Tang groups. The blank group and the model group were given blank serum

the other three groups were given 10% drug-containing serum incubated for 1 h

and added with 100 μmol·L-1 6-OHDA to co-cultured for 24 h. the cell viability was measured by MTS. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Measurements of lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels were performed using spectrophotometry method. Real-time PCR were used to analyze the expression of NADPH quinine oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1) mRNA. Result: Compared with blank control

cell viability was significantly decreased

whereas apoptosis and LPO levels were significantly increased in 6-OHDA-exposed PC12 cells (P<0.05). Compared with the model group

cell viability were significantly increased

whereas apoptosis and LPO levels were significantly decreased in Zhengan Xifeng Tang-containing serum treatment groups (P<0.05). Compared with the model group

NQO-1 mRNA expression were significantly up-regulated in Zhengan Xifeng Tang-containing serum treatment groups (P<0.05)

but with no significant difference in NQO-1 mRNA expression between the normal group and model group. Conclusion: Zhengan Xifeng Tang-containing serum has the neuroprotective effect against 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis

which may be attributable to its antioxidant properties through up-regulation of NQO-1 mRNA expression.