Abstract:

Abstract:Objective To investigate the influence of gross saponin tribulus terrestris (GSTT) on nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) of pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells) injured by hypoxia and its mechanisms. Methods PC12 cells were divided into control group, model group, high dose GSTT group（10 mg·L^-1） and low dose GSTT group（3 mg·L^-1）. The hypoxia model was set up with H2O2. The apoptotic rate of PC12 cells was detected by flow cytometry. The protein expression of NF-κB was detected by flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting methods. Results Compared with model group, the apoptotic rates of PC12 cells in high dose GSTT group and low dose GSTT group were significantly reduced (P<0.05). Compared with low dose GSTT group, the apoptotic rate of cells in high dose GSTT  group was reduced (P<0.05). The results of flow cytometry and Western blotting showed that the NF-κB expressions in high dose GSTT group and low dose GSTT group were significantly increased compared with model group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference of the NF-κB expression between high dose GSTT group and l
ow dose GSTT group. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that few brown and black grains were found in the cytochylema in model group and the NF-κB expression was reduced compared with control group(P<0.01). Compared with model group, the NF-κB expressions in high dose GSTT group and low dose group were significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusion GSTT can protect PC12 cells injured by hypoxia which might be correlated with the activation of nuclear factor-κB expression.

Key words: gross saponins tribulus terrestris , nuclear factor-κB , PC12 cells, apoptosis