Vitamin E renders protection to PC12 cells against oxidative damage and apoptosis induced by single-walled carbon nanotubes

► SWCNTs can induce apoptosis and oxidative damage on PC12 cells. ► Vitamin E (VE) renders protection against PC12 cell injury induced by SWCNTs. ► VE promoted endogenous antioxidants and decreased the production of ROS. ► VE inhibited the activation of caspase-3 and decrease of Bcl-2/Bax ratio.