Sigma-1 receptor agonists provide neuroprotection against gp120 via a change in bcl-2 expression in mouse neuronal cultures

► gp120 could induce neuronal apoptosis and inhibit neurite outgrowth. ► Sigma-1 receptor agonist PPBP could attenuate neurotoxicity of gp120. ► The neurotoxicity of gp120 associated with low expression of bcl-2 and bax. ► Only low expression of bcl-2 induced by gp120 could be reversed by PPBP.