Antagonistic effects of extract from leaves of ginkgo biloba on glutamate neurotoxicity
Abstract
AIM: To determine whether the extract of leaves of Ginkgo biloba L (EGb) and
several active constituents of EGb have protective effects against glutamate
(Glu)-induced neuronal damage.
METHODS: Microscopy and image analysis of nucleus areas in the arcuate nuclei
(AN) of mice were made. The neuronal viability in primary cultures from mouse
cerebral cortex was assessed using MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,
5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] staining and the intracellular free calcium
concentration ([Ca2+]i) of single neuron was measured using Fura-2.
RESULTS: EGb (2.5 mg.L-1) and its constituent ginkgolide B (Gin B, 2 mg.L-1)
protected the neuronal viability against Glu-induced injury, and prevented the
Glu-induced elevation in [Ca2+]i. EGb (3-10 mg.kg-1) attenuated the decrease of
nucleus areas in arcuate nuclei induced by Glu (1 g.kg-1, s.c.).
CONCLUSION: EGb and Gin B prevent neurons from Glu neurotoxicity through
reduction of the rise in [Ca2+]i.
Keywords:
several active constituents of EGb have protective effects against glutamate
(Glu)-induced neuronal damage.
METHODS: Microscopy and image analysis of nucleus areas in the arcuate nuclei
(AN) of mice were made. The neuronal viability in primary cultures from mouse
cerebral cortex was assessed using MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,
5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] staining and the intracellular free calcium
concentration ([Ca2+]i) of single neuron was measured using Fura-2.
RESULTS: EGb (2.5 mg.L-1) and its constituent ginkgolide B (Gin B, 2 mg.L-1)
protected the neuronal viability against Glu-induced injury, and prevented the
Glu-induced elevation in [Ca2+]i. EGb (3-10 mg.kg-1) attenuated the decrease of
nucleus areas in arcuate nuclei induced by Glu (1 g.kg-1, s.c.).
CONCLUSION: EGb and Gin B prevent neurons from Glu neurotoxicity through
reduction of the rise in [Ca2+]i.