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Effect of an extract of Ginkgo biloba on the isolated ileum of the guinea-pig.

1. The effects of an extract of Ginkgo biloba (Gb) were studied using the guinea-pig isolated ileum. 2. Using isometric recording, the dose-response relation for the action of Gb was complex, and at 400 micrograms/ml was reproducibly biphasic--a relaxation followed by a contraction. 3. Droperidol (3 X 10(-7) M - 10(-6) M), cyproheptadine (10(-7) M), and diphenhydramine (10(-7) M) prolonged the relaxation and usually decreased the amplitude of the contraction produced by Gb (400 micrograms/ml), whereas phentolamine, hexamethonium, methysergide, or cimetidine (10(-7) or 10(-6) M) did not affect the response to Gb. 4. The action of Gb on the guinea-pig ileum might involve mechanisms associated with dopamine and/or histamine.

Animals↗

Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract against lysophosphatidylcholine-induced vascular endothelial cell damage.

AIM: To study the protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) against endothelial cell damage induced by lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). METHODS: The vasorelaxation response to acetylcholine (ACh) were investigated in the isolated rabbit thoracic aorta. Lipid peroxidation products were determined by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substance. RESULTS: GbE attenuated the inhibition of vasorelaxation response to ACh and prevented the LPC-induced increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) content both in thoracic aortae. GbE prevented the leakage of LDH and the increase of MDA content in cultured endothelial cells in a concentration-dependent manner. GbE also markedly increased epoprostenol level in cultured endothelial cells treated with LPC. CONCLUSION: GbE protected endothelial cells against LPC-induced damage due to reduction in lipid peroxidation and facilitation of synthesis and/or release of epoprostenol.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

The effects of acute doses of standardized Ginkgo biloba extract on memory and psychomotor performance in volunteers.

This study investigated the effects of acute doses of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on memory and psychomotor performance in a randomized, double-blind and placebo controlled 5-way cross-over design. Thirty-one volunteers aged 30-59 years received GBE 150 mg (50 mg t. d.s), GBE 300 mg (100 mg t.d.s.), GBE 120 mg mane and GBE 240 mg mane and placebo for 2 days. Following baseline measures, the medication was administered at 0900 h for the single doses and at 0900, 1500 and 2100 h for the multiple doses. The psychometric test battery was administered pre-dose (0830 h) and then at frequent intervals until 11 h post dose. The results confirm that the effects of GBE extract on aspects of cognition in asymptomatic volunteers are more pronounced for memory, particularly working memory. They also show that these effects may be dose dependent though not in a linear dose related manner, and that GBE 120 mg produces the most evident effects of the doses examined. Additionally, the results suggest that the cognitive enhancing effects of GBE are more likely to be apparent in individuals aged 50-59 years.

Adult↗

The effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on gliotic reactions in the hippocampal formation after unilateral entorhinal cortex lesions.

PURPOSE: Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) has been shown to facilitate behavioral and neuro-morphological recovery from brain injury, but less is known about its effects on glia. Since gliosis may be an important component of the recovery process, we tested the hypothesis that EGb 761 alters the time course and development of microglial activation and astrocytosis after brain injury. METHODS: Rats were treated with either saline or EGb 761 and killed at 2 hrs, 1, 3, 7, and 14 days following unilateral entorhinal cortex (EC) lesions. Microglia and their precursors were visualized with a silver impregnation method, and astrocytes with GFAP. RESULTS: Blood-borne monocytes/macrophages were seen as early as 2 hrs after injury in all animals. The side contralateral to the injury showed minimal microglial activation and there were no significant effects of drug treatment. On the side ipsilateral to the lesion EGb 761 enhanced microglial activation at 3, 7, and 14 days in the molecular layer and the hilus of the dentate gyrus; the areas of most profound deaf-ferentation after EC injury. Regions of the corpus callosum also showed enhanced microglial activation over the same time course. Reactive astrocytes were stained with GFAP and were found to be more numerous than activated microglia, particularly in the ipsilateral corpus callo-sum. EGb 761 treatment enhanced astrocytosis at 3 days in the molecular layer, the hilus, and the corpus callosum on the ipsilateral side. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together our results show that EGb 761 enhances, accelerates and prolongs the activation of microglia and astrocytosis at the site of injury.

Journal Article↗

Expression of the receptors of VEGF and the influence of extract of Ginkgo biloba after cisternal injection of autologus arterial hemolysate in rats.

The study was aimed to investigate the alterations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors and the influence of extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Wistar rats were divided into non-SAH, SAH, vehicle, EGb1 (lower dose), and EGb2 (higher dose) groups. Autologus arterial hemolysate was injected into cisterna magna to induce SAH. The non-SAH rats received cisternal injection of saline instead. Rats underwent RT-PCR determination of one of the VEGF receptors flt-1mRNA, and immunohistochemistry for VEGF receptors Flt-1 and Flk-1. The results revealed that there was only slight expression of flt-1mRNA in the brain tissue in non-SAH rats. The expression in SAH group was enhanced 24 hours and 72 hours after cisternal injection. No Flt-1 and Flk-1 positive cell was observed in the brain in non-SAH group. A good few Flt-1 and Flk-1 positive cells were found in cortex and other regions of the brain in SAH group. The expression of flt-1mRNA, Flt-1 and Flk-1 proteins were increased by the use of two doses of EGb. It was concluded that the up-regulated expression of the two kinds of VEGF receptors may be an intrinsic protective mechanism in the process of SAH, which can be enhanced by EGb.

Animals↗

Complementary cardioprotective effects of flavonoid metabolites and terpenoid constituents of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) during ischemia and reperfusion.

Hemodynamic and electron spin resonance (ESR) analyses were performed on isolated ischemic and reperfused rat hearts to assess the cardioprotective and antioxidant effects of therapeutically relevant concentrations of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761; 5, 50 or 200 microg/ml), its terpenoid constituents (ginkgolide A; 0.05 microg/ml and ginkgolide B; 0.05, 0.25 or 0.50 microg/ml), and a terpene-free fraction of EGb 761 (CP 205; 5 or 50 microg/ml). Hearts underwent 10 min of low-flow ischemia, 30 min of no-flow global ischemia, and 60 min of reperfusion. Test substances were added to the perfusion fluid during the last 10 min of control perfusion, low-flow ischemia and the first 10 min of reperfusion. A separate group of rats was treated with CP 205 (60 mg/kg/day; p.o.) for 15 days, after which the hearts were perfused with plain buffer. In ESR experiments, the spin-trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) was added to the perfusate to determine the effects of treatments on post-ischemic myocardial free radical generation. Results showed that in vitro exposure of hearts to EGb 761 (5 or 50 microg/ml) or to ginkgolides A and B (both at 0.05 microg/ml), or in vivo pretreatment of the rats with CP 205 delayed the onset of contracture during ischemia. The strong reperfusion-induced elevation of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure observed in untreated hearts was significantly reduced by in vitro exposure to the lowest concentrations of EGb 761, by ginkgolide A, and to a lesser extent by ginkgolide B, or by prior oral treatment with CP 205. Post-ischemic functional recovery.was significantly improved by in vivo administration of CP 205, by perfusion with 5 microg/ml of EGb 761 or with both terpenoids as compared to untreated group but in vitro CP 205 was not effective. ESR analyses revealed that DMPO-OH (the DMPO/hydroxyl radical spin-adduct) concentrations in coronary effluents were markedly decreased by all treatments, except for the lowest concentration of ginkgolide B. Perfusing 5 microg/ml EGb 761 resulted in a better inhibition of baseline DMPO-OH concentration than 5 microg/ml CP 205 (-70 % and -48 % vs. control, respectively), indicating that both terpenoid and flavonoid constituents of EGb 761 are required to produce this effect. CP 205 was significantly more efficient in reducing DMPO-OH concentration when administered in vivo than when applied in vitro, indicating that the antioxidant effect of flavonoid metabolites (formed in vivo) is superior to that of intact flavonol glycosides (present in vitro). Collectively, these findings provide the first evidence that part of the cardioprotection afforded by EGb 761 is due to a specific action of its terpenoid constituents and that this effect involves a mechanism independent of direct free radical-scavenging. Thus, the terpenoid constituents of EGb 761 and the flavonoid metabolites that are formed after in vivo administration of the extract act in a complementary manner to protect against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Animals↗

Improved haemorrheological properties by Ginkgo biloba extract (Egb 761) in type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with retinopathy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Abnormal haemorrheological property changes in erythrocyte deformability, plasma and blood viscosity, and blood viscoelasticity may play very important roles in the development of microangiopathies in diabetes mellitus (DM). In this study, we demonstrate the improvement in abnormal haemorrheological parameters in DM with ingestion of Ginkgo biloba extract 761 (Egb 761). METHODS: Haemorrheological parameters before and 3 months after Egb 761 oral ingestion were determined in 25 type 2 DM patients with retinopathy. These parameters included lipid peroxidation stress of erythrocytes, erythrocyte deformability, plasma and blood viscosity, blood viscoelasticity, and retinal capillary blood flow velocity. RESULTS: After taking Egb 761 orally for 3 months, the blood viscosity was significantly reduced at different shear rates, by 0.44 +/- 0.10 (gamma = 400), 0.52 +/- 0.09 (gamma = 150) and 2.88 +/- 0.57 (gamma = 5). Viscoelasticity was significantly reduced in diabetic patients by 3.08 +/- 0.78 (0.1 Hz). The level of erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA) was reduced by 30%; however, the deformability of erythrocyte was increased by 20%. And lastly, retinal capillary blood flow rate was increased from 3.23 +/- 0.12 to 3.67 +/- 0.24 cm min(-1). CONCLUSION: In this preliminary clinical study, 3 months of oral administration of Egb 761 significantly reduced MDA levels of erythrocytes membranes, decreased fibrinogen levels, promoted erythrocytes deformability, and improved blood viscosity and viscoelasticity, which may facilitate blood perfusion. Furthermore, it effectively improved retinal capillary blood flow rate in type 2 diabetic patients with retinopathy.

Administration, Oral↗

The effects of prostaglandin E2 indomethacin & Ginkgo biloba extract on resistance to experimental sepsis.

We investigated the effect of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 indomethacin and Ginkgo biloba extract on the survival in two experimental sepsis models in rats due to administration of 1 x 10(7) cfu and 1 x 10(9) cfu Escherichia coli. Animals in each model were then randomly divided (10/group) into four groups, administered saline, indomethacin, G. biloba extract and prostaglandin E2 respectively. When compared, there was no significant difference in the survival period between the two sepsis models (P > 0.05). The best survival rate was observed in the PGE2-administered animals in the first major model (P < 0.05). Indomethacin appeared not to decrease the mortality rates. There was no significant difference in PGE2 levels between two sepsis models (P > 0.05). Our results suggest that elevated prostaglandin E2 levels following major trauma are not responsible for the postinjury increased susceptibility to infectious complications. Our observations should also discourage aggressive use of cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors for protection against infectious complications after major trauma.

Animals↗

Pharmacological activity of the Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on equilibrium function recovery in the unilateral vestibular neurectomized cat.

Locomotor balance recovery after unilateral vestibular neurectomy has been found strongly accelerated in the cat when the animals received a postoperative treatment with Ginkgo biloba Extract (EGb 761:50 mg/kg/d, i.p.), a result due to the improvement of plasticity mechanisms involved in vestibular compensation. The aim of this study was to determine which of the two main biochemical components (terpenes vs. flavonoids) contained in the extract was the most active in the recovery process, to test the influence of the route of administration, and to look for dose-dependent effects. Experiments were performed in six experimental groups of cats that were compared with each other and with three control groups. Comparisons were done on the recovery profile and time course of equilibrium function restoration, as quantified by the rotating beam test. Four experimental groups were treated with the standardized extract EGb 761 given orally (p.o.:2 groups; 40 mg and 80 mg/kg) or intraperitoneally (i.p.: 2 groups; 50 mg and 25 mg/kg), whereas the two others received only a special extract that did not contain the terpenes (i.p. administration: 25 mg and 10 mg/kg). Treatment was always given until complete recovery of locomotor balance function. The control groups received either no treatment (untreated cats), an oral vehicle (placebo cats), or a sham i.p. injection (sham cats). Results showed that locomotor balance recovery was significantly improved in all the experimental groups as compared to the control groups of cats, which recovered similarly and more slowly. Efficacy of the special extract without the terpenes was comparable to that of the total extract, indicating that the nonterpenic fraction was the most active biochemical constituent in this experimental model of central nervous system (CNS) plasticity. Pharmacological activity of the extract was also significantly better when given i.p. as compared to the p.o. route of administration, and dose-dependent effects were evidenced with the i.p. administration of the special extract without the terpenes, with a lower efficacy for the lowest dose (10 mg/kg). These data confirm that EGb 761 treatment serves as useful therapy in supporting brain functional recovery in this animal model of vestibular compensation and lead to a more precise understanding of the biochemical component that is active in this recovery process.

Administration, Oral↗

Neuroprotective effects of bilobalide, a component of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) in global brain ischemia and in excitotoxicity-induced neuronal death.

In this study, we compared the protective effect of bilobalide, a purified terpene lactone component of ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761, (definition see editorial) and EGb 761 against ischemic injury and against glutamate-induced excitotoxic neuronal death. In ischemic injury, we measured neuronal loss and the levels of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-encoded cytochrome oxidase (COX) subunit III mRNA in vulnerable hippocampal regions of gerbils. At 7 days of reperfusion after 5 min of transient global ischemia, a significant increase in neuronal death and a significant decrease in COX III mRNA were observed in the hippocampal CA1 neurons. Oral administration of EGb 761 at 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg/day and bilobalide at 3 and 6 mg/kg/day for 7 days before ischemia progressively protected CA1 neurons from death and from ischemia-induced reductions in COX III mRNA. In rat cerebellar neuronal cultures, addition of bilobalide or EGb 761 protected in a dose-dependent manner against glutamate-induced excitotoxic neuronal death (effective concentration [EC (50)] = 5 microg/ml (12 microM) for bilobalide and 100 microg/ml for EGb 761. These results suggest that both EGb 761 and bilobalide are protective against ischemia-induced neuronal death in vivo and glutamate-induced neuronal death in vitro by synergistic mechanisms involving anti-excitotoxicity, inhibition of free radical generation, scavenging of reactive oxygen species, and regulation of mitochondrial gene expression.

Animals↗

Effects of ginkgo biloba extract and bilobalide, a main constituent, on the ionic currents in guinea pig ventricular cardiomyocytes.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE, 0.01 to 1 mg/ml) and a main constituent, bilobalide (0.1 to 1 mumol/l), on the action potentials and the underlying ionic currents in guinea pig ventricular cardiomyocytes were investigated using a patch-clamp technique. Both GBE and bilobalide at high concentrations caused depressant actions on the action potential configuration. GBE (0.3 mg/ml) decreased the Vmax by 17.1 +/- 2.1% (n = 6, p < 0.05), and bilobalide (1 mumol/l) by 14.7 +/- 2.2% (n = 8, p < 0.05). GBE prolonged the action potential duration at 90% repolarization (APD90), by 70.6 +/- 2.8% (n = 6, p < 0.001) at 1 mg/ml; in contrast, bilobalide shortened APD, by 11.1 +/- 2.0% (n = 8, p < 0.05) at 3 mumol/l. In voltage-clamp experiments, GBE (1 mg/ml) markedly inhibited the Ca2+ current (ICa) at 10 mV by 90.1 +/- 3.0% (n = 6, p < 0.001), the delayed rectifier K+ current (IK) at 60 mV by 63.7 +/- 3.0% (n = 6, p < 0.01), and the inwardly rectifying K+ current (IK1) at -120 mV by 47.8 +/- 2.6% (n = 6, p < 0.01). On the other hand, bilobalide at 1 mumol/l enhanced the ICa by 40.0 +/- 2.3% (n = 6, p < 0.05), and the IK by 14.0 +/- 2.3% (n = 6, p < 0.05), concentration-dependently. The IK1 was unaffected. These responses were reversible (to approximately 50-80%) after 10- to 20-min washout. These results indicate that even after acute administrations, GBE and bilobalide produced active actions on the APD and the ionic currents in cardiomyocytes. Although each chemical exhibited the responses in opposite directions, GBE acts totally as a mixture.

Action Potentials↗

[Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on functional brain activity.. An assessment of clinical and experimental studies].

Electroencephalography is the only convenient method for functional exploration of the brain. The recent introduction of signal analysis techniques has given it a quantitative dimension and has resulted in pharmacological studies of electoencephalograms. In four studies of this kind the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract were investigated on three pathological animal models, in young healthy volunteers and in elderly people with dementia disorders. In man, the EEG tracings could be analyzed in relation to different psychometric tests. The results obtained confirm those of clinical trials, and notably the activity of Ginkgo biloba extract on alertness.

Adolescent↗

Potential role for Ginkgo biloba extract in the treatment of glaucoma.

Glaucoma is becoming recognized as a condition for which not only elevated intraocular pressure, but also non-pressure-dependent risk factors are responsible. New avenues of treatment into which investigations are being initiated include agents which could possibly improve blood flow to the eye and neuroprotective drugs. Only calcium channel blockers are presently available for such treatment in glaucoma, and these have not been widely adopted, in contrast to clinical trials involving a number of neuroprotectants in other neurologic disorders. Ginkgo biloba extract is freely available and has several biological actions which combine to make it a potentially important agent in the treatment of glaucoma: improvement of central and peripheral blood flow, reduction of vasospasm, reduction of serum viscosity, antioxidant activity, platelet activating factor inhibitory activity, inhibition of apoptosis, and inhibition of excitotoxicity. The effect of Ginkgo biloba extract as a potential antiglaucoma therapy deserves intensive scrutiny.

Animals↗

The effects of melatonin and Ginkgo biloba extract on memory loss and choline acetyltransferase activities in the brain of rats infused intracerebroventricularly with beta-amyloid 1-40.

Intraventricular infusion of rats with beta-amyloid for 14 days resulted in memory deficit in the water maze as well as decreases in choline acetyltransferase activities and somatostatin levels in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. These changes were not altered by daily intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/Kg melatonin. Orally administered Ginkgo biloba extract, however, partially reversed the memory deficit and the decrease in choline actyltransferase activities in the hippocampus. The latter treatment failed to reverse the decrease in somatostatin levels. The results indicate that orally administered Ginkgo biloba extract can protect the brain against beta-amyloid from changes leading to memory deficit through its effect on the cholinergic system.

Administration, Oral↗

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on lipid peroxidation and apoptosis after spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on lipid peroxidation and apoptosis after spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rabbits. METHODS: Spinal cord I/R injury model was established according to the description of Erten et al. A total of 27 New Zealand white rabbits were divided into three groups randomly: a sham group (9 rabbits treated with sham operation but without aortic occlusion), a model group (9 rabbits treated with aortic occlusion and volume-matched saline), and a GBE group (9 rabbits treated with aortic occlusion and Ginaton (100 mg/kg) injected 30 minutes before aortic clamping and at the onset of reperfusion). The neurological outcomes were evaluated at 24 and 48 hours after reperfusion, respectively. The spinal cord malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) were then detected. Neural cell apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl t-ransferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-fluorescence nick end labeling (TUNEL) method and the expression of bcl-2 and bax were examined histologically in the spinal cord with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: I/R produced a significant decrease in neurological scoring. The motor scores of the GBE group were significantly higher than those of the model group at 24 and 48 hours after reperfusion (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, GBE ameliorated the down-regulation of SOD and produced a significant reduction of the MDA level (P<0.01). The positive cells for TUNEL in the model group were much more than those of the GBE group (P<0.01). The bcl-2 was up-regulated after I/R, especially in the GBE group (P<0.01). The up-regulation of bax was greatly diminished by GBE (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: GBE has protective effects against spinal cord I/R injury, and the mechanism may be that it can scavenge oxygen free radicals and inhibit the apoptosis of neural cells.

Animals↗

[Use of special Ginkgo biloba extract for cognitive disorders in the elderly].

All dementias had been suggested to be the result of a vessel-disease, now it is known that the greatest part belongs to the dementias of Alzheimer's type but furtheron there exists no possibility for curing or stopping. Since Ginkgo biloba extract is available it is used in this diagnosis. Experimental and clinical studies have shown a widespread possibility to act in this disease and even a neuroprotective potential can be postulated.

Aged↗

Ginkgo biloba extract suppresses hypertrophy and extracellular matrix accumulation in rat mesangial cells.

AIM: To observe the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) on the hypertrophy of mesangial cells and the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in mesangial cells. METHODS: Cultured mesangial cells were allotted into 7 groups: normal group, solvent control group, high glucose group, low dose of EGb group, moderate dose of EGb group, high dose of EGb group, and captopril group. Activities of cell antioxidases, S phase percentage and G(0)/G(1) phase percentage, collagen IV and laminin, Smad2/3 and Smad7, TGF-beta(1) mRNA were measured by different methods. RESULTS: For EGb-treated groups, when compared with high glucose group, the cell percentage of S phase was raised and the percentage of G(0)/G(1) was lowered. The intensity of oxidative stress was weakened. The expression of Smad2/3 was greatly decreased and Smad7 was increased. Collagen IV, laminin and TGF- beta(1)mRNA were also reduced. CONCLUSION: EGb can suppress cell hypertrophy and the accumulation of ECM in rat mesangial cells, which means it could play a vital role in the delay of glomerulosclerosis in diabetic nephropathy.

Animals↗