Abstract: AIM: To study the protective effect of baicalin (BA) against the ototoxicity of gentamicin (GM) of mice spinal ganglion (SG) cells.METHODS: MTT assay was employed to determine the growth inhibition of GM on the SG cells.The activities of superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by UV chromatography in SG cells from mice of different groups.RESULTS: Baicalin reversibly limited the GM-induced growth inhibition of SG cells in a dose-dependent manner.BA increased the activity of T-SOD and GM-induced decreased activity of T-SOD and GSH-PX in SG cells.The compound could also reduce MDA level and limite the GM-induced high content of MDA in SG cells.CONCLUSION: Baicalin mediated neuroprotective effect on SG cells is against gentamicin-induced ototoxicity through anti-oxidant.

Key words: baicalin, gentamicin, spinal ganglion, free radical, lipid peroxidation