Objective:To explore the protective effect of taurine on injured neurons induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Methods:Neurons were treated with different doses of H2O2. Oxidative stress model was prepared in vitro. Taurine was applied at 5,15 or 25 mmol/L 24 h prior to H2O2 treatment. Specific fluorescent probe DCFH－DA was performed to analyze reactive oxygen species level of neurons. Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay was performed to detect the injury degree of neurons. Brain－derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and synaptic－related protein levels were evaluated by Western blotting. Results:Compared with the control group,different doses of H2O2 (5,50 and 100 μmol/L) increased LDH release to the extracellular medium (P < 0.05),while 15 and 25 mmol/L taurine decreased the release (P < 0.05). One hundred μmol/L H2O2 led to an increase of reactive oxygen species level and decreased BDNF,synapsin and spinophilin protein expressions (P < 0.05). After treatment with 25 mmol/L taurine,the above indicators were attenuated (P < 0.05). Conclusion:Taurine can alleviate H2O2 induced neuron damages and show neuroprotective effect against oxidative stress.