OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Flavone from Zhongjiefeng (Herba Sarcandrae Glabrae) on the platelet number in immune-induced bone marrow failure (BMF) and its mechanism of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.METHODS:Immune-induced BMF model,established in mice,was randomly divided into four groups:normal control group without BMF,BMF control group,cyclosporine (CSA) group and flavone group (n =10 in each group).Mice were given 0.027 g/kg cyclosporine or 0.2 g/kg flavone lavage daily in either the cyclosporine or flavone group respectively.Platelet count,mitochondrial transmembrane potential (△Ψm),cytochrome C (Cyt C),phosphatidylserine (PS),changes of calcium ion (Ca2+),and protein expression of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway including B-cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2) Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein (Bak),bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax),caspase-3,caspase-8,and caspase-9 were examined and compared.RESULTS:Compared with the normal control group,the BMF group had significantly lower levels of platelet count,△Ψm,and expressions of caspase family proteins as well as higher levels of Cyt C,PS,Ca2+,and expressions of Bak and Bax (all P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the BMF group,the CSA and flavone groups had significantly higher △Ψm and expressions of caspase family proteins (all P ＜ 0.05)whereas the levels of Cyt C,PS,Ca2+,and expressions of Bak and Bax were reduced (all P ＜ 0.05).More importantly,the flavone group had higher levels of Cyt C,Ca2+ and expressions of Bak and Bax compared with the CSA group (all P ＜ 0.05),while the levels of PS and caspase family proteins were reduced (all P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION:Flavone from Zhongjiefeng (Herba Sarcandrae Glabrae) significantly increases the platelet number and prevents its apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway.