Abstract: Objective To evaluate the inhibitory effects of water extract of Phellinus igniarius on MPP⁺-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cell line. Methods The relative apoptosis rate was analyzed by PI staining. Morphological changes of nucleus were observed by DAPI staining. Changes of mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by JC-1 staining. ROS production was measured by C-DCDHF-DA staining. Results The relative apoptosis rate of SH-SY5Y cells increased obviously after MPP⁺ induction, the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased remarkably, and ROS production increased significantly. Compared with the MPP⁺ control group, the apoptosis rates were significantly decreased by Phellinus igniarius at doses of 20 and 10 μg·mL^-1 respectively. The morphological changes of cell nuclei after apoptosis were reversed by Phellinus igniarius. Phellinus igniarius treatment (20, 10, 5, 2.5 μg·mL^-1) dramatically increased relative mitochondrial membrane potential compared with MPP⁺ control respectively. Compared with the MPP⁺ control, Phellinus igniarius treatment (20, 10, 2.5 μg·mL^-1) significantly decreased relative ROS formation respectively. Conclusion The water extract of Phellinus igniarius showed significant inhibitory effect on SH-SY5Y cells apoptosis induced by MPP⁺.

Key words: Phellinus, Phellinus igniarius, apoptosis, SH-SY5Y cell, mitochondrial membrane potential