EFFECTS OF RHYNCHOPHYLLINE ON RAT CORTICAL NEURONS STRESSED BY METHAMPHETAMINE

Summary Objective: To reveal the neurotoxicity of Methamphetamine (MA) on cortical neurons in rats and to study the protective effects of Rhynchophylline (Rhy) on MA treated neurons. Methods: The neurotoxicity of MA was measured with MTT assay in primary cultured cortical neurons. The viability of neurons treated MA for 48 h combined with Rhy or ketamine was also tested. Results: MTT assay showed that MA had a nurotoxicity on rat cortical neurons and Rhy could protect against MA in culture viability. Conclusion: Rhy shows neuroprotective effect against MA in vitro. This property may also contribute to the neural activity of the origin of Uncaria species plants. These results suggest rhynchophylline may benefit for the treatment of MA exposure.