Ginkgo biloba extracts prevent aortic rupture in angiotensin II-infused hypercholesterolemic mice

Abstract

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are a chronic vascular disease characterized by pathological luminal dilation. Aortic rupture is the fatal consequence of AAAs. Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBEs), a natural herb extract widely used as food supplements, drugs, and cosmetics, has been reported to suppress development of calcium chloride-induced AAAs in mice. Calcium chloride-induced AAAs do not rupture, while angiotensin II (AngII)-induced AAAs in mice have high rate of aortic rupture, implicating potentially different mechanisms from calcium chloride-induced AAAs. This study aimed to determine whether GBE would improve aortic dilation and rupture rate of AngII-induced AAAs. Male apolipoprotein E (apoE) -/- mice were infused with AngII and administered either GBE or its major active ingredients, flavonoids and ginkgolides, individually or in combination. To determine the effects of GBE in mice with established AAAs, male apoE-/- mice were firstly infused with AngII for 28 days to develop AAAs, and then administered either GBE or vehicle in mice with established AAAs, which were continuously infused with AngII for another 56 days. GBE, but not the two major active components separately or synergistically, prevented aortic rupture, but not aortic dilation. The protection of GBE from aortic rupture was independent of systolic blood pressure, lipid, and inflammation. GBE also did not attenuate either aortic rupture or progressive aortic dilation in mice with established AAAs. GBE did not reduce the atherosclerotic lesion areas, either. In conclusion, GBE prevents aortic rupture in AngII-infused hypercholesterolemic mice, but only in the early phase of the disease development.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba on Diseases Related to Oxidative Stress

“…An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a vascular disease characterized by a luminal pathological dilatation, and one of its fatal consequences is the aortic rupture. To evaluate the therapeutic effect of EGB761 on the aortic rupture, Huang et al [1] administered angiotensin II (Ang II) in mice for 28 days, causing abdominal aortic aneurysm, and then administered EGB761 (100 mg/kg/day) for 56 days. It was possible to conclude that EGB761 prevents an aortic rupture in hypercholesterolemic mice, which were infused with Ang II, but only in the initial stage, restricting the protective range of this treatment in the mentioned comorbidity.…”

“…Oxidative stress is caused by destructive and progressive modifications in one or more body tissues, leading to dysfunction of organs, premature aging, and sometimes disease and death. It is a natural and fundamental process of the body, but it also involves the acceleration of destructive modifications over time, not only at the cellular level but also at the molecular level [1,2].…”

Comparative analysis of the antihepatotoxic effects of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract and Legalon using histological and biochemical techniques

“…65,66 Contrarily, GbE administration resulted in a significant drop in a lipid profile marker, which was consistent with research by Abdel-Zaher, Farghaly, 67 and Huang, Zhang. 68 The metabolization of radical scavengers and chain terminators like vitamin C and E, antioxidants like GSH, and redox regulatory enzymes like CAT, SOD, and glutathione peroxidase are just a few examples of the body's multiple defense mechanisms against free radicals. 69 In rats supplemented with CCl 4 , which may result in cell, tissue, or organ damage, the results of the current study showed a significant increase in the markers of oxidative stress while the levels of antioxidants significantly reduced.…”

Pharmacokinetic, Metabolism, and Metabolomic Strategies Provide Deep Insight Into the Underlying Mechanism of Ginkgo biloba Flavonoids in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease

“…In several epidemiological studies, dietary flavonol and flavonoid intake was inversely associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease ( 5 ). Current pharmacological investigations have revealed that the flavonoids extracted from G. biloba has prominent cardioprotective activities such as dilating blood vessels ( 6 , 7 ), regulating blood lipids ( 8 ), lowering blood sugar ( 9 ), inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis ( 10 , 11 ) and preventing myocardial ischemic injury ( 12 , 13 ) and vascular rupture ( 14 ).…”