Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

Exploring the Two Herb Combination Strategy to Treat Injured PC12 Cells
Published on: November 18, 2022
Apoptosis caused by imidazolium-based ionic liquids in PC12 cells
Xiao-Yu Li1, Chang-Qin Jing, Wen-Long Lei
1College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China. lixiaoyu65@263.net
Abstract:
The cytotoxicity of alkylmethylimidazolium-based ionic liquids on rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, lactate dehydrogenase release (LDH), and acridine orange staining in the present study. Mitochondrial depolarization, DNA fragmentation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and caspase-3 activity were also determined. The results showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity of ionic liquids on PC12 cells, and the ionic liquids with longer lateral chains had stronger cytotoxicity. Additionally, we found that exposure to the ionic liquid 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([C(8)mim]Br) provoked cellular LDH release, increased mitochondrial depolarization, induced cellular transmogrification, nuclear shrinkage and DNA fragmentation, and promoted caspase-3 activity and ROS levels in PC12 cells. These results suggest that [C(8)mim]Br may induce PC12 cell apoptosis triggered by excessive ROS and mediated by mitochondrial depolarization and permeability transition. Our result may be helpful for illuminating the cytotoxicity mechanism of alkylmethylimidazolium-based ionic liquids and safely using them in the future.
More Related Videos
07:34Modified Annexin V/Propidium Iodide Apoptosis Assay For Accurate Assessment of Cell Death
Published on: April 24, 2011
09:18Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
Published on: December 27, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Cellular Injury IlI: Cellular Death
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Overview of Cell Death
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
Apoptosis
Cellular Injury IV: Necrosis