Objective To study the protective effect of panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on hippocampal neurons HT22 cells after injury by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Methods CCK-8 was used to detect the cell growth activity of HT22 cells after the action of PNS. After stimulation with H2O2, the effect of PNS on the activity and morphological changes of HT22 cells were observed. Cell damage was checked using LDH test. Flow cytometry was used to count the percentage of apoptotic cells. Results Panax notoginseng saponins had no toxic effect on HT22 cells in effective concentration range, and could enhance the cell vitality, significantly reduce the cell damage caused by H2O2. Conclusions Panax notoginseng saponins can enhance the intracellular antioxidant activity to enhance the survival rate of HT22 cells, thus protect the cells from oxidative damage.