Objective: To examine the effect of Tianma Gouteng Yin-containing serum on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+)-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells

and explore the neuroprotective effect of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway. Method: A total of 32 male SD rats were randomly divided into control group and high

middle and low-dose Tianma Gouteng Yin-containing serum groups (22.8

11.4

5.7 g·kg-1). The rats were intragastrically given Tianma Gouteng Yin to prepare Tianma Gouteng Yin-containing serum. The control group was given the same volume of normal saline. The proliferation of PC12 cells was cultured and divided into the blank group

the model group

and high

middle and low-dose Tianma Gouteng Yin-containing serum groups. The blank group and the model group were given blank serum

while the other three groups were given 10% Tianma Gouteng Yin-containing serum incubated for 30 min. The model group and Tianma Gouteng Yin-containing serum groups were additionally given 500 μmol·L-1 MPP+ and co-cultured for 48 h. The cell viability was measured by Cell Titer 96° Aoueous MTS Reagent powder (MTS). The follow-up experiment was divided into five groups

namely blank group

MPP+ group

MPP++high-dose Tianma Gouteng Yin-containing serum group

MPP++SP600125 group

and MPP++SP600125+high-dose Tianma Gouteng Yin-containing serum group. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Cysteine aspartate protease-3 (Caspase-3) activity was detected by spectrophotometry. The expressions of JNK

p-JNK

c-Jun

p-c-Jun protein were detected by Western blot. Result: Compared with the blank control

cell viability was significantly decreased in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group

cell viability was significantly increased in high

middle and low-dose Tianma Gouteng Yin-containing serum groups (P < 0.05). In the follow-up experiment

compared with blank control

apoptosis

Caspase-3 activity

and expressions of p-JNK and p-c-Jun protein were significantly increased in the MPP+ group (P < 0.05). Compared with the MPP+ group

poptosis

Caspase-3 activity

and expressions of p-JNK and p-c-Jun protein were significantly decreased in the MPP++high-dose Tianma Gouteng Yin-containing serum group and MPP++SP600125 group (P < 0.05). Co-treatment with SP600125 and high-dose Tianma Gouteng Yin-containing serum resulted in a slight increase in neuroprotection

which was significantly greater than high-dose Tianma Gouteng Yin-containing serum treatment alone (P < 0.05)

but not significantly greater than SP600125 treatment alone. The expressions of JNK and c-Jun protein showed no significant change. Conclusion: Tianma Gouteng Yin-containing serum has the neuroprotective effect against MPP+-induced apoptosis

which may be closely related to the JNK signaling pathway.