Abstract: AimTo study the protective effects of hydroxyethylpuerarin against the injury of astrocytes induced by hydrogen peroxide(H₂O₂). MethodsExperiments were performed with cells from passage 4. Plasma membrane integrity was measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. The occurrence of apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. The glutamate uptake of astrocytes was studied with ［³H］-glutamate incorporation. Intracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were assessed by automatic biochemistry analyzer. ResultsCompared with H₂O₂ injured group, the occurrence of apoptosis, levels of LDH release and intracellular MDA of astrocytes reduced in hydroxyethylpuerarin pre-treated groups, but the glutamate uptake and intracellular SOD activity of astrocytes increased.ConclusionHydroxyethylpuerarin could reduce the occurrence of apoptosis and improve neurotrophic function of astrocytes ,which may be related with its antioxidant effects during oxidative stress.