Effects or Tetrohydroberberine on Neuron Apoptosis Induced by β-amyloid Peptides

Aim: To elucidate the mechanism of neuron apoptosis induced by β-AP and the protective effects of tetrohy- droberberine. Methods: 1. Apoptosis of free hippocampal cultured neurons induced by β-AP25-35 was observed morphologi- cally. 2. Hippocampal neurons were cultured by glass method and divided into six groups to observe the protective effects of tetrohydroberberine. 3. The conditions of cell survival were determined by MTT method. 4. Concentrations of free Ca2+ in cells were assayed by Fura-2 technology. Results: Apoptosis numbers of hippocampal neurons in tetrohydrobergerine groups decreased significantly (P＜0. 05) and the increase of Ca2+ concentration in β-AP inducible cells reduced significantly and dose-dependently. Conclusion: Tetrohydroberberine protects neurons from apoptosis induced by β-AP, which may be associat- ed with the decrease of Ca2+ concentration in cells.