Neural cell protective compounds isolated from Phoenix hanceana var. formosana

Phoenix hanceana var. formosana is a plant endemic to Taiwan and has been shown to have potential medicinal properties. Here we use a bioassay system to identify specific bioactive compounds from plant extracts. In the bioassay, isovitexin, luteolin-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, and (+)-catechin were identified as potential compounds capable of protecting PC12 cells from 6-OHDA-induced apoptotic neurotoxicity.