Abstract: AIM: To compare the protective effects of several traditional Chinese medicines ginsenosides, puerariaiso flavones and ophiopo gonis on H₂O₂-induced PC12 cell injury.METHODS: Cells were treated with vehicle, series concentrations of ginsenosides, puerariaiso flavones or ophiopogonis, then were injured with H₂O₂.The viability of PC12 cells was determined by MTT assay ;SOD level in culture medium was determined by xanthinoxidanse method ;MDA content in medium was measured by modified thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method and NO content in culture medium was determined by Griessme thod.RESULTS: Among these traditional Chine se medicine components, pueraria iso flavones showed the most potent neuroprotective effects, ophiopogonis and ginsenosides showed the almost equal potency. Puerariaiso flavones displayed the most potent effect on the increasing SOD production, ophiopogonis was less effective, and ginsenosides was weakest on this action.Puerariaiso flavones most potently reduced MDA and NO content, ginseno sides showed better effect compared with ophiopogonis.Whereas ophiopogonis failed to reduce NO production.CONCLUSION: Ginsenosides, pueraria is of lavones and ophiopogonis all show signif icant pro tective effect son H2O2-induced PC12 cells injury, and the intensity of this effect may result from their potency on the increase of SOD level and the decrease of lipid peroxidation and NO production.Puerariais of lavones is most potent among three components.

Key words: PC12 cell, H₂O₂, Ginsenosides, Ppueraria isoflavones, Ophiopogonis