Objective： To investigate the composition and content of terpenoids and sterols in the lipophilic extract of artichoke by-products， and to explore the protective effect of lipophilic extract on PC12 nerve cells induced by H2O2. Methods： Composition and content of terpenoids and sterols in artichoke byproducts were analyzed by GC-MS. Liposoluble extracts were used as protective drugs to protect PC12 cells injured by H2O2. Cell viability， LDH release， MDA production， ROS level and apoptosis rate were detected. Results： Three sesquiterpene lactones， two sterols and eight pentacyclic triterpenoids were detected in the by-products of artichoke. The content of cynaropicrin was the highest， up to 13 309.10 mg/kg DM. After being protected by lipophilic extract of artichoke byproducts， the cell viability of PC12 nerve cells increased significantly， the release rate of LDH， MDA content and ROS level in cells decreased significantly. After double staining by Annexin V-FITC/PI and AO-EB， the apoptosis rate of PC12 cells also showed a significant decreasing trend. Conclusion： Lipophilic extract of artichoke by-product has protective effect on PC12 nerve cells.