Abstract: This study investigated the protective action of sweet potato extract to PC12 cell injury induced by glutamic acid. Rat Pheochromocy-toma cells were divided into control group, model group, low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose sweet potato extract (0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 μg/mL) and nimodipine 1.0 μmol/L, which were treated by 2.0 mmol/L glutamic acid. Survival rate of PC12 cells were determined with MTT. The results indicated that survival rate was increased and apoptosis rate was declined by sweet potato extract treatment. There was a dose response relationship between survival rate and concentration of sweet potato extract. The results of cytomorphology assay showed that sweet potato extract contributed to improve the PC12 cell shape change induced by glutamic acid. To sum up, sweet potato extract must have the function of neurotrophic effect and neuroprotection.

Key words: sweet potato extract, PC12 cell, glutamic acid, injure protection