Abstract: The study of the radiological protective effect of icaritin on HaCat cells was carried out. CCK-8 method was used to detect the change of cell proliferation; Annexin V-PI double staining was used to detect cell apoptosis; DCFH-DA probe was used to detect reactive oxygen species and thiobarbituric acid method was used to measure intracellular malondialdehyde levels. Inflammatory factor secretion levels were determined by real-time PCR and Elisa assay. After the HaCat cells were treated with 20 Gy of X-ray, the cell viability was decreased and apoptosis rate was increased. It was found that treatment with icaritin can stimulate its proliferation by increasing cell survival rate and reducing the proportion of apoptosis. The content of ROS and MDA in the cells increased significantly after irradiation, but the treatment with icaritin could reduce the content of both and protect the cells. Meanwhile, the amount of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α expressed and secreted by HaCat cells was significantly increased, and icaritin inhibited the expression of these factors and reduced the amount of secretion. The results indicated that icaritin had obvious radiological protective effect on HaCat cells. It has the ability to promote proliferation, inhibit apoptosis, anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory. It is expected to be a protective agent for traditional Chinese medicine against radiation-induced skin damage.

Key words: icaritin, HaCat cells, radiation-induced skin damage