Objective      To investigate the effect of artesunate (ART) on proliferation of neural stem cells (NSCs) from subventricular zone (SVZ) in rats.       Methods      NSCs were treated with different concentrations of ART (0.4

0.8

1.6

and 3.2 μmol/L) for 24 h

and CCK8 assay was used to evaluate the effect of ART on proliferation of NSCs. The PI3K-Akt pathway inhibitor (LY294002) was added in the 0.8 μmol/L ART group to detect its inhibitory effect on the proliferation of NSCs. The results of CCK8 assay were confirmed via Ki-67 fluorescence staining. Western blot assay was used to assess the expressions of Nestin

Akt and p-Akt after treatment for 24 h in different groups as follows: control group

LY294002 group

0.8 μmol/L ART group

and 0.8 μmol/L ART+LY294002 group.       Results      (1) CCK8 assay showed that the absorbance values at wavelength of 450 nm were significantly higher in the 0.8 μmol/L ART group than in the control group

and decreased to the level of the control group after addition of LY294002 (P0.05). (2) The Ki-67 positive cell number was higher in the 0.8 μmol/L ART group as compared with other groups

and decreased to the level of the control group after addition of LY294002. (3) Western blot results showed that the expression of Nestin and p-Akt were significantly up-regulated in the 0.8 μmol/L ART group

but after addition of LY294002

the expression was lowered (P0.05).       Conclusion      ART could promote the proliferation of NSCs from the SVZ

and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway might play an important role in this process.