Objective To investigate the protective effects of SalB on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺)-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in PC12 cells and the potential mechanism. Methods The injured model of PC12 cells was established by exposing to MPP⁺ and the mitochondrial function was evaluated by mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and mitochondrial ATP synthesis. PCR was used to measure the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and the expression of PGC-1, NRF-1 and TFAM. The expression of mitochondrial dynamic related proteins was detected by Western blotting analysis. Results SalB significantly attenuated the MPP⁺-induced decrease in MMP and mitochondrial ATP synthesis(P<0.05), and it significantly increased mtDNA content and the expression of PGC-1, NRF-1 and TFAM mRNA after MPP⁺ exposure (P<0.05). Moreover, Western blotting analysis showed that SalB significantly increased the expression of Opa-1 and Mfn-1 protein, but decreased that of Drp-1 and Fis-1 after MPP⁺ treatment(P<0.05). Conclusion SalB can protect PC12 cells against MPP⁺-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, probably through regulating mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial fusion related proteins.