Abstract: The hippocampal neuron injury model established with β-amyloid protein (Aβ) was used to study the protective effects of carnosic acid on the toxic damage of hippocampal neuron.The viability of neuron was determined with CCK-8 assay,and mRNA levers of Caspase-3 were measured by RT-PCR in each experimental groups to analysis the influences of carnosic acid on the injured neuron.The results showed that the ability of carnosic acid protecting neuron from injury was enhanced obviously at 5 and 10 μmol/L,and the expression of Caspase-3 mRNA were decreased while the livability of neuron was increased.These results indicated that carnosic acid can protect Aβ induced hippocampal neuron injury,which was possibly through Caspase-3 signaling pathway.

Key words: carnosic acid, hippocampal neuron, Caspase-3, cell viability