Antiapoptotic Effects of EGb 761

Abstract

Ginkgo biloba extracts have long been used in Chinese traditional medicine for hundreds of years. The most significant extract obtained from Ginkgo biloba leaves has been EGb 761, a widely used phytopharmaceutical product in Europe. EGb 761 is a well-defined mixture of active compounds, which contains two main active substances: flavonoid glycosides (24–26%) and terpene lactones (6–8%). These compounds have shown antiapoptotic effects through the protection of mitochondrial membrane integrity, inhibition of mitochondrial cytochrome c release, enhancement of antiapoptotic protein transcription, and reduction of caspase transcription and DNA fragmentation. Other effects include the reduction of oxidative stress (which has been related to the occurrence of vascular, degenerative, and proliferative diseases), coupled to strong induction of phase II-detoxifying and cellular defense enzymes by Nrf2/ARE activation, in addition to the modulation of transcription factors, such as CREB, HIF-1α, NF-κB, AP-1, and p53, involved in the apoptosis process. This work reviews experimental results about the antiapoptotic effects induced by the standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves (EGb 761).

Ginkgo Biloba Ameliorates Subfertility Induced by Testicular Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Adult Wistar Rats: A Possible New Mitochondrial Mechanism

“…These findings agree with Serrano-García et al [55], who reported that Ginkgo biloba administration reduced the ischemia and I/R induced damage in testicular tissue. Ginkgo biloba has antiapoptotic effects through the protection of mitochondrial membrane integrity, possibly by its flavonoid constituents [56], which was manifested in the present study, by decreased mitochondrial NAD + in Ginkgo biloba treated I/R group.…”

Effects of Ginkgo biloba on Diseases Related to Oxidative Stress

“…expression of GCLC, BDNF, BCL-2, and GSH; inhibits serotonin degradation by MAO, liberation of the Cytochrome C, activity of Caspase-3, fragmentation of the internucleosome DNA, NADH, activation of p53 protein, p65 protein, NF-κB and apoptosis; decrease in the neurotoxicity induced through 3-NP and the elevation of BAX through ROS; elimination of free radicals; and upregulation of HMOX-1 [43,74,75]. QuercetinIncrease the level of BDNF; inhibition of degradation of serotonin by MAO, apoptosis; transcription of TNF-α; activation of ERK, phosphorylation, and activation of JNK; decrease of lipid peroxidation in the plasma and phosphorylation of IkBβ; upregulation of HMOX-1; and elimination of free radicals.…”

The effect of Bacillus coagulans-fermented and nonfermented Ginkgo biloba on the immunity status of broiler chickens1,2

“…In addition, some research ers have found that the activation of TNFa, IL6, and IL-18, and the activation of the nuclear factor (NF) kB pathway can lead to inflammation cascade effects and tissue damage (Morris et al, 1989;Neurath et al, 1997). The downregulation of these cytokines seems to be important for the prevention of cell apoptosis (SerranoGarcía et al, 2013). The reason for the de creases seen in the levels of these cytokines following treatment with G. biloba may be due to a homeostatic mechanism involving the flavonoids and polysaccha rides of fermented and nonfermented G. biloba for the maintenance of the Th1/Th2 balance in response to extracellular pathogens.…”