[Neurotrophic effects of protocatechuic acid on neurite outgrowth and survival in cultured cerebral cortical neurons of newborn rat].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study the neurotrophic effects of protocatechuic acid on neurite outgrowth and survival in cultured cerebral cortical neurons. METHODS: The newborn rat cerebral cortex neurons were cultured in vitro. The convert phase microscope was used to count the survival neurons with neurites and measure the average length of neurites. MTT and LDH assay were carried out to investigate the effect of PCA on the neuronal viability. RESULTS: Compared with control group, different concentration of PCA could increase the number of survival neurons with neurites and the average length of neurites. MTT and LDH assay showed that PCA promoted neuron survival in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: PCA can enhance the survival of rat cortical neurons with neurites and promote the neurite outgrowth of rat cortical neurons.