Salidroside (SA), a phenylpropanoid glycoside isolated from Rhodiola rosea L., has been documented to exert a broad spectrum of pharmacological properties, including protective effects against neuronal death induced by various stresses. To provide further insights into the neuroprotective functions of SA, this study examined whether SA can attenuate cobalt chloride (CoCl 2 )-induced hypoxia damage and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling repression in PC12 differentiated cells. Differentiated PC12 cells were exposed to CoCl 2 for 12 h to mimic hypoxic/ischemic conditions and treated with SA at the same time, followed by electron microscopy and analysis of cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species ( Key words salidroside; ischemic; mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR); hypoxia; cobalt chloride; PC12 cell Focal cerebral ischemia or stroke is characterized by obstruction of blood flow to the brain, resulting in deficient supply of oxygen, glucose, serum, and nutrient that are indispensable for the energy generation. Since central nervous system is most susceptible to hypoxia conditions, the continuous oxygen and energy deprivation results in cognitive disturbances and decreased motor control, leading to fainting, long term loss of consciousness, coma, seizures, cessation of brain stem reflexes, and brain death. Ischemic stroke is currently a leading cause of disability and mortality in the aged population, due to limited medication and therapy, and new therapeutic strategies for this devastating disease are urgently needed.Recently, the role of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling in neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases has attracted great attention.