Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761 on neural differentiation of stem cells offer new hope for neurological disease treatment

Stem cell transplantation has brought new hope for the treatment of neurological diseases.The key to stem cell therapy lies in inducing the specific differentiation of stem cells into nerve cells.Because the differentiation of stem cells in vitro and in vivo is affected by multiple factors,the final differentiation outcome is strongly associated with the microenvironment in which the stem cells are located.Accordingly,the optimal microenvironment for inducing stem cell differentiation is a hot topic.EGb761 is extracted from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree.It is used worldwide and is becoming one of the focuses of stem cell research.Studies have shown that EGb761 can antagonize oxygen free radicals,stabilize cell membranes,promote neurogenesis and synaptogenesis,increase the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factors,and replicate the environment required during the differentiation of stem cells into nerve cells.This offers the possibility of using EGb761 to induce the differentiation of stem cells,facilitating stem cell transplantation.To provide a comprehensive reference for the future application of EGb761 in stem cell therapy,we reviewed studies investigating the influence of EGb761 on stem cells.These started with the composition and neuropharmacology of EGb761,and eventually led to the finding that EGb761 and some of its important components play important roles in the differentiation of stem cells and the protection of a beneficial microenvironment for stem cell transplantation.

The Effects of Standardized Ginkgo Biloba Extracts (GBE) on Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) in Middle-Aged Adults: A Review

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is defined as the presence of self-reported cognitive complaints with unimpaired performance in neuropsychological cognitive tests. SCD has been identified as a precursor of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and potentially represents the earliest clinical sign of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Standardized extracts of Ginkgo biloba (GBE) are widely used as a treatment for cognitive impairment. Nonetheless, most of the available review articles focus on the effects of GBE in MCI and dementia but not in SCD and its specific cognitive effects. Thus, this review collects and discusses the available published clinical data for the effects of standardized GBE on the early stages of cognitive decline among an age group where SCD becomes a topic—the middle-aged adults. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs), systematic reviews and meta-analyses of standardized GBEs in cognitive decline subjects were searched using PubMed/MEDLINE, Science direct, Cochrane, and Google Scholar until January 2019. Data from relevant RCT were critically evaluated to determine the potential effects of GBE on SCD. The results showed that the number of available GBE studies on SCD is small. Eight studies were selected in which subjects reported memory impairment, in some cases with concerns (worries), and with an average age at onset SCD of 60 years. Six studies gave a proof of efficacy for GBE for the treatment of SCD in at least one cognitive parameter. One study is inconclusive, however, a post-hoc analysis demonstrates efficacy in preventing AD with intake >4 years. The most common GBE dosage used was 240 mg GBE/day over a minimum period of 8 weeks. Hence, there might be beneficial effects of GBE to prevent, improve or delay SCD in the generation of 50 years or older. However, larger, well-defined RCTs using SCD criteria are necessary to further substantiate this effect in SCD subjects.

A ginkgo biloba extract promotes proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells in vascular dementia rats

The ginkgo biloba extract EGb761 improves memory loss and cognitive impairments in patients with senile dementia. It also promotes proliferation of neural stem cells in the subventricular zone in Parkinson＇s disease model mice and in the hippocampal zone of young epileptic rats. However, it remains unclear whether EGb761 enhances proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells in the brain of rats with vascular dementia. In this study, a vascular dementia model was established by repeatedly clipping and reperfusing the bilateral common carotid arteries of rats in combination with an intraperitoneal injection of a sodium nitroprusside solution. Seven days after establishing the model, rats were intragastrically given EGb761 at 50 mg/kg per day. Learning and memory abilities were assessed using the Morris water maze and proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells in the subventricular zone and dentate gyrus were labeled by 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine immunofluorescence in all rats at 15 days, and 1, 2, and 4 months after model establishment. The escape latencies in Morris water maze tests of rats with vascular dementia after EGb761 treatment were significantly shorter than the model group. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the number and proliferation of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine-positive cells in the subventricular zone and dentate gyrus of the EGb761-treated group were significantly higher than in the model group. These experimental findings suggest that EGb761 enhances proliferation of neural stem cells in the subventricular zone and dentate gyrus, and significantly improves learning and memory in rats with vascular dementia.

Ginkgo biloba extract alleviates fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome in laying hens via reshaping gut microbiota

Background Ginkgo biloba extract(GBE)is evidenced to be effective in the prevention and alleviation of metabolic disorders,including obesity,diabetes and fatty liver disease.However,the role of GBE in alleviating fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome(FLHS)in laying hens and the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated.Here,we investigated the effects of GBE on relieving FLHS with an emphasis on the modulatory role of GBE in chicken gut microbiota.Results The results showed that GBE treatment ameliorated biochemical blood indicators in high-fat diet(HFD)-induced FLHS laying hen model by decreasing the levels of TG,TC,ALT and ALP.The lipid accumulation and pathological score of liver were also relieved after GBE treatment.Moreover,GBE treatment enhanced the antioxidant activity of liver and serum by increasing GSH,SOD,T-AOC,GSH-PX and reducing MDA,and downregulated the expression of genes related to lipid synthesis(FAS,LXRα,GPAT1,PPARγand Ch REBP1)and inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α,IL-6,TLR4 and NF-κB)in the liver.Microbial profiling analysis revealed that GBE treatment reshaped the HFD-perturbed gut microbiota,particularly elevated the abundance of Megasphaera in the cecum.Meanwhile,targeted metabolomic analysis of SCFAs revealed that GBE treatment significantly promoted the production of total SCFAs,acetate and propionate,which were positively correlated with the GBE-enriched gut microbiota.Finally,we confirmed that the GBE-altered gut microbiota was sufficient to alleviate FLHS by fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT).Conclusions We provided evidence that GBE alleviated FLHS in HFD-induced laying hens through reshaping the composition of gut microbiota.Our findings shed light on mechanism underlying the anti-FLHS efficacy of GBE and lay foundations for future use of GBE as additive to prevent and control FLHS in laying hen industry.

Effects of a Cocktail Supplement of Ginkgo Biloba and Acai Extract on Cognitive Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms, including cognitive impairment. Current treatments often involve synthetic drugs with significant side effects and potential for dependency. This study investigates the effects of a natural supplement combination of Ginkgo Biloba and Acai Extract on cognitive symptoms in a 77-year-old male with PD. The participant underwent a three-month supplementation regimen, with cognitive function assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test before and after the intervention. The results indicated an improvement in cognitive scores, suggesting that the combination of Ginkgo Biloba and Acai Extract may offer a promising alternative or adjunct to conventional PD treatments. This study highlights the potential of natural supplements in managing PD symptoms and calls for further research with larger sample sizes to confirm these findings. Human data was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki by the Roxbury District IRB Board (IRB Number: IRB00011767).

Ginkgo biloba extract(EGb 761) attenuates lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion in rats:Roles of oxidative stress and nitric oxide

AIM： To investigate the effect of ginkgo biloba extract （EGb 761） on lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia/ reperfusion （ Ⅱ/R）. METHODS： The rat model of Ⅱ/R injury was produced by damping the superior mesenteric artery for 60 min followed by reperfusion for 180 min. The rats were randomly allocated into sham, Ⅱ/R, and EGb ＋Ⅱ/R groups. In EGb ＋Ⅱ/R group, EGb 761 （100 mg/kg per day） was given via a gastric tube for 7 consecutive days prior to surgery. Rats in Ⅱ/R and sham groups were treated with equal volumes of the vehicle of EGb 761. Lung injury was assessed by light microscopy, wet-todry lung weight ratio （W/D） and pulmonary permeability index （PPT）. The levels of malondialdehyde （MDA） and nitrite/nitrate （NO2/NO3）, as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and myeloperoxidase （MPO） were examined. Western blot was used to determine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）. RESULTS： EGb 761 markedly improved mean arterial pressure and attenuated lung injury, manifested by the improvement of histological changes and significant decreases of pulmonary W/D and PPT （P 〈 0.05 or 0.01）.Moreover, EGb 761 markedly increased SOD activity, reduced MDA levels and MPO activity, and suppressed NO generation accompanied by down-regulation of iNOS expression （P 〈 0.05 or 0.01）. CONCLUSION： The results indicate that EGb 761 has a protective effect on lung injury induced by Ⅱ /R, which may be related to its antioxidant property and suppressions of neutrophil accumulation and iNOS- induced NO generation. EGb 761 seems to be an effective therapeutic agent for critically ill patients with respiratory failure related to Ⅱ/R.

Effect of Ginkgo Biloba extract combined with butylphthalide on serum biochemical indexes of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease

Objective: To study the effect of Ginkgo Biloba extract combined with butylphthalide on serum biochemical indexes of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Methods:The patients who were diagnosed with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease for the first time in Weinan Central Hospital between March 2015 and December 2017 were selected as the research subjects and randomly divided into two groups, observation group received Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets + Ginkgo Biloba Extract Tablets + Butylphthalide Soft Capsules treatment, and control group received Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets treatment. The serum levels of metabolites, cytokines, oxidative stress mediators and other biochemical indicators were measured before treatment and 3 months after treatment. Results: 3 months after treatment, serum Hcy, IL-1β, TNF-α, HMGB1, MCP-1, MDA and Tau levels of both groups of patients were significantly lower than those before treatment whereas UA, VitB12, FA, VEGF, BDNF, GPX3, CAT and SOD levels were significantly higher than those before treatment, and serum Hcy, IL-1β, TNF-α, HMGB1, MCP-1, MDA and Tau levels of observation group after treatment were significantly lower than those of control group whereas UA, VitB12, FA, VEGF, BDNF, GPX3, CAT and SOD levels were significantly higher than those of control group. Conclusion: Ginkgo Biloba extract combined with butylphthalide treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease can significantly improve the substance metabolism and reduce the inflammatory stress response.

Influence of Ginkgo biloba extract on the proliferation,apoptosis of ACC-2 cell and Survivin gene expression in adenoid cystic carcinoma of lacrimal gland

Objective:To explore the influence of extract of Ginkgo biloba（EGB） on the proliferation, apoptosis of ACC-2 cell and Survivin gene expression in adenoid cystic carcinoma（ACC） of lacrimal gland.Methods:ACC-2 cell in human with ACC of lacrimal gland was in vitro cultured. MTT method was used for cell proliferation detection.Annexin V/PI double-staining flow cytometer was used to detect cell apoptosis and cell cycle.Survivin gene expression was analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blotting.Results:EGB had inhibitory effect on the proliferation of ACC-2 cell with significant dose-effect relationship,and there was statistical difference when compared with the control group（P【0.01）.The inhibitory concentration 50%(IC50) is 88 mg/L. The flow cytometer test indicated that CGB can gradually increase ACC-2 cell in G0-G1 stage and decrease it in G2-M and S stage.With the increase of dose,the apoptosis rate of ACC-2 cell was obviously increased（P【0.05 or P【0.01）.EGB had certain inhibitor)’ effect on Survivin gene expression of ACC-2 cell,and Survivin gene expression was decreased with the increasing of the EGB concentration（P【0.01）.Conclusions:EGB can effectively inhibit Survivin gene expression of ACC-2 cell in human with ACC of lacrimal gland,induce the apoptosis of ACC-2 cell and inhibit tumor cell proliferation.

Ginkgo biloba extract inhibits Akt/mTOR signaling mediated renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy

Aim To investigate the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract （GbE） on renal fibrosis in STZ induced diabetic rats and high glucose （HG） cultured proximal tubular epithelial cells （NRK-52E）. Methods In vivo, rats were randomized into six groups termed normal control, diabetes mellitus , low dose of GbE （50 mg · kg^-1 · d^-1） , in- termediate dose of GbE （100 mg · kg^-1·d^-1）, high dose of GbE （200 mg · kg^-1 · d^-1） and rapamycin （1 mg·kg^-1·d^-l）. After 12 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and then fasting blood glucose, creatinine （Cr） , blood u- rea nitrogen （BUN） , urine protein, kidney index, glycogen and collagen accumulation, and collagen IV and lami- NRK-52E cells were divided into six groups： normal nin expression were measured by different methods. In vitro, glucose （5.56 mmol · L^-1）, high glucose （60 mmol · L^-1）, low dose of GbE （10 mg · L^-1）, intermediate dose of GbE （20 mg· L^-1）, high dose of GbE （40 mg· L^-1） and rapamycin （20 nmol · L^-l）. The morphological changes of cells were observed by microscopy after culturing for 48 h. Akt, roTOR and p70S6K, were examined by western blotting both in the renal cortex of rats and NRK-52E cells. Results Compared with diabetic rats, the lev- els of Cr, BUN, urine protein, kidney index, accumulation of glycogen and collagen, and expression of collagen IV and laminin in the renal cortex were all decreased in GbE treated rats. Furthermore, GbE ameliorated the morpho- logical changes of NRK-52E cells caused by HG. In addition, GbE reduced the expression of E-cadherin, oL-SMA, snail and phosphorylation of Akt, roTOR and p70S6K in diabetic renal cortexes and NRK-52E cells exposed to HG. Conclusion GbE was a satisfactory agent to prevent renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy, and this effect might be associated with the inhibition of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on 6-hydroxydopamine-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells

The present study analyzed the protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced PC12 cell apoptosis in a model of Parkinson＇s disease. The results showed that Ginkgo biloba extract had a potent cytoprotective action and inhibited apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by 6-hydroxydopamine. Ginkgo biloba extract decreased the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 and markedly inhibited the activation of p53 and caspase-3. These experimental findings indicate that Ginkgo biloba extract may significantly reduce the effects of oxidative stress induced by 6-hydroxydopamine in PC12 cells and suppress cell apoptosis. The potential effects of Ginkgo biloba extract might be greater than those of levodopa in the treatment of Parkinson＇s disease.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on expression of biomarkers during aflatoxin B_1-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Wistar rats

Objective： The aim of this study was to study the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract （EGb761） on metabolism of afiatoxin B1 （AFB1） in Wistar rats. Methods： Seventy one Wistar rats were assigned at random to groups A, B and C. Rats in groups A, B were injected with AFB1 （intraperitoneal, 100-200 ug/kg body weight, 1-3 times/week）. Group C was normal control. Rats in group B were fed in food with EGb761, while rats in groups A, C were given normal food. Blood samples were collected and liver biopsies were performed on the 14th, 28th and 42nd week. All the rats were sacrificed on the 64th week. The incidence of hepatocarcinoma was investigated. The hepatic phase I drug-metabolizing enzyme Cytochrome-P450 （CYP450） and phase II metabolizing enzyme glutathione S-transferase （GST） were analyzed with spectrometry. Serum AFB1- lysine adduct levels were assessed with high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC）. The expression of 8-hydroxydeoxy- guanosine （8-OHdG） was measured with immunohistochemistry. Results： The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） in group B was significantly lower than that in group A （26.92% vs 76.00%, P 〈 0.001）. No HCC developed in group C. EGb761 showed no effects on the activities of CYP450 and GST in rat liver tissues. The level of AFB1-lysine adduct reached the peak （4356.01 pg/mg albumin） at the 14th week in group A. EGb761 significantly inhibited the formation of AFB1-lysine adduct in serum by 13.07% at the 14th week （P = 0.033）, and 73.63% at the 42nd week （P = 0.002）. The expression of 8-OHdG protein in rat liver tissues in group B was significantly lower than that in group A at the 28th, 42nd, and 64th week （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： The main mechanism underlying the effect of EGb761 in blocking hepatocarcinogenesis induced by AFB1 may not be fully attributable to its influence on the activity of liver phase I and phase II metabolizing enzymes. EGb761 inhibits the production of AFB1-lysine adducts, decreases the expression of 8-OHdG protein, and finally alleviates the DNA oxidative injury, which may be one of the mechanisms for the effects of EGb761 in inhibiting or delaying AFB1-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.

Ginkgo Biloba Extract Ameliorates Scopolamine-induced Memory Deficits via Rescuing Synaptic Damage

Objective Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder.Emerging evidence suggests that synaptic dysfunction is associated with the onset and progression of AD.Interestingly,Ginkgo biloba extract(EGb)is one of the most frequently investigated herbal medicines for enhancing cognition and alleviating neurodegenerative dementia.This study aimed to investigate the effect and the mechanism of EGb on AD-like synaptic disorders.Methods Scopolamine(SCO)-induced rats were used to mimic AD-like memory deficits.Morris water maze test and fear conditioning test were conducted to evaluate the memory status of rats in response to different treatments.Then,the synapse alterations were assessed by Golgi staining,and Western blotting was conducted to assess the protein expression of PSD95,GluN2B,synapsin-1,and synaptophysin.Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction was applied to detect the mRNA expression of PSD95 and the levels of miR-1-3p/miR-206-3p.Results EGb supplement alleviated the learning and memory deficits induced by SCO in behavioral experiments.Moreover,EGb treatment attenuated synaptic damage elicited by SCO,manifested as increased dendritic spine density and the proportion of mushroom-type spines in hippocampal neurons.Further investigation indicated that EGb rescued the expression of synaptic-related proteins,especially PSD95,and decreased the levels of miR-1-3p/miR-206-3p in the rat hippocampus.Conclusion The application of EGb effectively treats SCO-induced memory impairments probably by suppressing miR-1-3p/miR-206-3p and elevating the expression of PSD95.

Ginkgo biloba Extract EGb 761® Improves Central Vestibular Vertigo in Patients Undergoing Vestibular Exercises: A Randomised Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background: Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® is widely used to treat various types of vertigo. Aims: An exploratory trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of EGb 761® in addition to vestibular exercises in central vestibular vertigo caused by vertebro-basilar ischaemia. Subjects and Methods: In this randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, 40 patients were enrolled in the vertigo clinic of a neurological university hospital and treated with daily doses of 240 mg EGb 761® or placebo for a period of 180 days. All patients regularly performed vestibular exercises in addition. Efficacy was assessed using: a visual analogue scale for the patients to rate the overall intensity of vertigo;a numeric scale for physician-rated change;a vertigo score based on intensity, duration, and frequency of vertigo;and electronystagmography. Results: Until day 180, the mean patient-rated intensity of vertigo decreased by 46% during EGb 761® treatment and by 19% with placebo (p ® group compared to the placebo group. Nystagmus or other eye movement disorders were present only in small subgroups of patients without sufficient statistical power to detect differences between treatment groups. Conclusions: EGb 761® alleviated vertigo caused by ischaemic lesions in the brainstem or cerebellum in patients undergoing vestibular exercises.

The Effect of Ginkgo Biloba Extract on the Expression of PKCα in the Inflammatory Cells and the Level of IL-5 in Induced Sputum of Asthmatic Patients

To investigate the effect of the Ginkgo Biloba Extract （GBE） on the asthma and examine its possible mechanisms, 75 asthma patients were divided into 4 groups and the patients were respectively treated with fluticasone propionate for 2 weeks or 4 weeks, or treated with fluticasone propionate plus GBE for 2 weeks or 4 weeks. Fifteen healthy volunteers served as healthy controls. Sputum inhalation with inhaling hypertonic saline （4%-5%） was performed. Lung ventilatory function and forced expiratory volume in one second （FEVI） were measured. The numbers of different cells in induced sputum were calculated. The expression of PKCα in the cells was immunocytochemically detected and the percentages of positive cells in different cells were counted. Interleukin-5 （IL-5） in sputum supernatants was detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The percentage of eosinophils, lymphocytes, PKCα positive inflammatory cells and the concentration of IL-5 in asthmatic patients were higher than those in the controls （P〈0.05）, and the eosinophils, lymphocytes, positive expression of PKCα and the level of IL-5 were significantly decreased in asthmatic patients after they were treated with fluticasone propionate or fluticasone propionate plus GBE. However, they were still significantly higher than those of the controls. Compared to the group treated with glucocorticosteroid for 2 weeks, no significant decrease was found in the percentage of eosinophils, lymphocytes, PKCα positive inflammatory cells and the IL-5 in the supernatant of induced sputum. Compared with the group treated with glucocorticosteroid for 2 or 4 weeks, significant decrease in the same parameters was observed in the group treated with fluticasone propionate and GBE for 4 weeks. The IL-5 level in the supernatant of induced sputum was positively correlated with the percentage of PKCα-positive inflammatory cells and the percentage of eosinophils in the induced sputum in asthma patient groups respectively （n=150, r=0.83, P〈0.01; n=150, r=0.76, P〈0.01）. The FEVI was negatively correlated with the percentage of PKCα-positive inflammatory cells and the IL-5 levels in supernatant of induced sputum in asthma patients respectively （n=150, r=-0.77, P〈0.01; n=150, r=- 0.64, P〈0.01）. It is concluded that GBE could significantly decrease the infiltration of inflammatory cells such as eosinophils and lymphocytes in the asthmatic airway and relieve the airway inflammation. GBE may decrease the activation of the PKCα in the inflammatory cells and thereby decrease the IL-5 level in induced sputum. GBE may be used as a complement to the glucocorticosteroid therapy for asthma.

Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on rats during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on rats during ischemia/reperfusion and its influence on intracellular calcium in hippocampal neurons. METHODS: Model of intraluminal occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO) was used to prepare the ischemia/reperfusion cortex tissue. Concentration of MDA was determined by measuring thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance. GSH-PX was quantified using the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) technique. SOD was assayed througha xanthine method. Endogenous amino acids were quantified by high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis. Primary culturs of hippocampal neurons were prepared for a free intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]I) assay by Fura-2 based single cell microfluoremetric technique. RESULTS: Comparing control and treatment groups, the concentration of SOD and GSH-PX were higher, whereas that of MDA was much lower; the concentration of glutamate and aspartate decreased and that of GABA increased markedly at all time point (P

Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats

AIM: To evaluate the preventive effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injuries in rats. METHODS: Female Wistar albino rats were used for the studies. We randomly divided the rats for each study into five subgroups: normal control, experimental control, and three experimental groups. The gastric ulcers were induced by instilling 1 mL 50% ethanol into the stomach. We gave GbE 8.75,17.5,26.25 mg/kg intravenously to the experimental groups respectively 30 min prior to the ulcerative challenge. We removed the stomachs 45 min later. The gastric ulcers, gastric mucus and the content of non-protein sulfhydryl groups (NP-SH), malondialdehyde (MDA), c-Jun kinase (JNK) activity in gastric mucosa were evaluated. The amount of gastric juice and its acidity were also measured. RESULTS: The findings of our study are as follows: (1) GbE pretreatment was found to provide a dose-dependent protection against the ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats; (2) the GbE pretreatment afforded a dose-dependent inhibition of ethanol-induced depletion of stomach wall mucus, NP-SH contents and increase in the lipid peroxidation (increase MDA) in gastric tissue; (3) gastric ulcer induced by ethanol produced an increase in JNK activity in gastric mucosa which also significantly inhibited by pretreatment with GbE; and (4) GbE alone had no inhibitory effect on gastric secretion in pylorus-ligated rats. CONCLUSION: The finding of this study showed that GbE significantly inhibited the ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats. We suggest that the preventive effect of GbE may be mediated through: (1) inhibition of lipid peroxidation; (2) preservation of gastric mucus and NP-SH; and (3) blockade of cell apoptosis.

The Effect of 2,5-hexanedione on Myelin Protein Zero Expression,and Its Mitigation Using Ginkgo Biloba Extract

Objective To investigate the role of myelin protein zero （P 0） in 2,5-hexanedione （2,5-HD）-induced peripheral nerve injury,and the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract （Egb761） on 2,5-HD-induced toxic peripheral neuropathy.Methods After 4 weeks of treatment with 2,5-HD at different doses （50,100,200,400 mg/kg） in rats,changes in the levels of P 0 in rat sciatic nerves was investigated,and the effect of Egb761 on 2,5-HD-induced toxic peripheral neuropathy was studied.Results The blood-nerve barrier （BNB） permeability of the sciatic nerve increased,and the expression of P 0 mRNA and P 0 protein decreased in a dose-dependent manner after treatment with 2,5-HD for 4 weeks.Pretreatment with Egb761 protected against BNB interruption,and inhibited P 0 mRNA and protein reduction during 2,5-HD treatment.Pretreatment with Egb761 significantly reduced loss of body weight （P0.01） and mitigated gait abnormalities （2.85±0.22） induced by 400 mg/kg 2,5-HD （P0.01）.It also reduced the signs of neurotoxicity induced by 2,5-HD.Conclusion 2,5-HD inhibited the expression of P 0 in a dose-dependent manner,and this may be an important mechanism by which toxic peripheral neuropathy is induced by 2,5-HD.Egb761 has a protective effect against 2,5-HD-induced peripheral neurotoxicity in rats.

Activity of Ginkgo biloba Extract and Quercetin on Thrombomodulin Expression and Tissue-type Plasminogen Activator Secretion by Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Objective In order to investigate the pharmacological properties of Ginkgo biloba extract （GBE） on improving blood circulation, the regulating action of GBE and quercetin （a main flavonoid ingredient in GBE） on thrombomodulin （TM） expression and tissue-type plasminogen activator （t-PA） secretion was studied. Methods Using flow cytometer and gel image system respectively, we evaluated the TM expression and the t-PA secretion by human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs） in vitro. Results The increase of TM expression on HUVECs surface was induced by GBE rather than quercetin in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Both GBE and quercetin increased the t-PA release significantly. Conclusion The effect of GBE on improving blood circulation may be partly attributed to its promoting TM expression and t-PA secretion by endothelial ceils, and quercetin participated in the effect of GBE on t-PA secretion. However, the action of GBE on increasing TM expression needs further study.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on diabetic retinopathy:a meta-analysis and systematic review

Objective:The aim of present meta-analysis was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Ginkgo biloba extract combined with conventional therapy in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy(DR).Methods:The randomized controlled trials(RCTs)of Ginkgo biloba extract adjuvant conventional therapy for treating DR were searched in PubMed,the Cochrane Library,China Knowledge Network(CNKI),China Biomedical Literature Service System(SinoMed),VIP Information Chinese Journal Service Platform(VIP),and Wanfang database.Two reviewers independently extracted data and conducted methodological quality assessment.Data analysis was performed using Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials(RoB 2).Results:A total of 9 RCTs involving 798 patients were included in current research.Meta-analysis showed that Ginkgo biloba extract combined with conventional medicine can improve total effective rate[OR=0.33,95%CI=(0.23,0.46),P<0.0001],visual acuity[OR=-0.11,95%CI=(-0.14,-0.07),P<0.0001]and visual field average defect[OR=0.59,95%CI=(0.53,0.65),P<0.0001].Conclusion:The available evidence indicated that Ginkgo biloba extract combined with conventional medicine can be beneficial for treating DR.However,our findings were warranted to verify by more large-scale,multi-center clinical trials.

Experimental Study on Inhibition of Neuronal Toxical Effect of Levodopa by Ginkgo Biloba Extract on Parkinson Disease in Rats

In order to observe neuronal toxical effect of Levodopa and investigate if using Levodopa together with Ginkgo Bilobar Extract (EGb) would be an workable method to treat Parkinson disease, rat models of Parkinson disease (PD) were made by injecting 6-OHDA stereotaxically to right side of the mesencephic ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Rotational behavioral observation, TUNEL, immunocytochemistry, Nissl's body staining were performed to measure the difference between group treated by Levodopa (50 mg/kg every day for 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, L-dopa group) and group treated by Levodopa combined with EGb (100 mg/ kg every day, E-D group). The results showed that in the L-dopa group, the numbers of apoptosis of substantial nigra, rings of rotational behavior were more than those in the E-D group (P<0. 05). The numbers of Nissl's cells in L-dopa group were fewer than in E-D group (P<0. 05). The results suggested that Levodopa had neur toxic effect and EGb may decrease the toxicity of levodopa. The combined use of EGb with Levodopa may be a workable method to treat PD and may be better than using Levodopa alone.