AIM To investigate the effects and mechanism of polygalasaponin F (PS-F) on PC12 cellular apoptosis induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP +).METHODS The cell viability was evaluated using MTT assay.The cell apoptosis rate was analyzed using flow cytometry.The reactive oxygen species (ROS) was examined using DCFH-DA, the ATP depletion was examined using a luciferase-coupled quantification assay.JC-1 staining was used to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).Western blot analysis was used to determine cytochrome c and caspase 3.RESULTS PS-F increased the viabihty of PC12 cells,decreased MPP +-induced apoptosis, restored MPP +-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and suppressed the expression of cytochrome c and active-caspase 3.PS-F showed a dose-dependent manner in all the treatments.CONCLUSION PS-F protects PC12 cells against MPP +-induced apoptosis via ameliorating the mitochondrial dysfunction.Thus, PS-F may be a potential bioactive compound for the treatment of Parkinsons disease.