<p><em>Ginkgo biloba</em> Extract Reduces Hippocampus Inflammatory Responses, Improves Cardiac Functions And Depressive Behaviors In A Heart Failure Mouse Model</p>

Abstract

BackgroundDepression has been shown to share an extremely high comorbidity with heart failure (HF). Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine in cardiac disease. However, its potential therapeutic effect on depressive symptoms following HF largely remains unknown. In this article, we aimed to investigate its effects in reducing depressive behaviors of a HF mouse model. Moreover, we also discussed whether its effects are associated with changes in neural inflammation and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) signaling.MethodsMice were randomly divided into three groups: sham, HF+saline and HF+GBE (150 mg/kg/d) (n=10 per group). Systolic heart failure was induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. Cardiac functions together with depressive-like behaviors were measured after 4 weeks’ treatment. Levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), 5-HT, 5-HT receptor 2A (5-HT2AR), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), (cleaved) caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 were analyzed by Western blot, Elisa and immunohistochemistry at the end of the experiments.ResultsGBE benefited antidepressant-like behaviors and improved cardiac functions in mice with heart failure. Levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and 5-HT were reduced in the hippocampus after the administration of GBE. Further experiments revealed that GBE also blocked the release of serotonin in the peripheral blood and triggered HIF-1 induced anti-apoptotic pathways.ConclusionGBE has potential therapeutic effects in relieving depressive status of patients with HF.

Ginkgo Biloba Extract Reduces Cardiac and Brain Inflammation in Rats Fed a HFD and Exposed to Chronic Mental Stress through NF-κB Inhibition

“…A sucrose preference test was performed to measure depressive behaviors in rats at the end of the 10 th and 13 th weeks, as described in our previous published study [ 13 ]. The rat was kept alone in a cage for 24 hours while going through the sucrose preference test.…”

“…IBM SPSS statistics software (version 24.0, IBM, Armonk, New York, USA) and GraphPad Prism Software (version 8.0.2, San Diego, CA, USA) were used for data analysis. Due to this was an exploratory study, we decided the sample size by considering scientific and qualitative levels and our former animal experiment experiences [ 10 , 13 , 14 ].…”

Ginkgo biloba: A Treasure of Functional Phytochemicals with Multimedicinal Applications

“…TNF-α, IL-1, and 5-HT levels in the hippocampus were decreased after GBE administration. GBE also inhibited serotonin release in peripheral blood and activated hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1)associated antiapoptotic pathways [120]. Compared with control groups, pretreatment with 30 and 60 mg/kg/day GBE substantially reduced depressive-like effects in RSS rats and prevented changes in DNA methylation and protein expression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus induced by persistent stress.…”

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“…In the case of the EGb761 standardized extract, Rojas et al [186] suggested that the antidepressant-like effect may be partly due to its observed neuroprotective effects through its antioxidant properties [186]. Recently, Zhang et al [187] described the compoundʼs antidepressant-like activities and the improved cardiac function in mice with heart failure (SPT and OFT), with the compound reducing levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and 5-HT in the hippocampus, blocking the release of 5-HT in peripheral blood and triggering HIF-1-induced anti-apoptotic pathways [187]. Glycyrrhiza glabra (liquorice) reduced the immobility times of mice in both the FST and TST, with various monoamine receptor antagonists (D 2 and α 1 ) reducing the effect, indicating that the extractʼs antidepressant-like effects are due to an increase of DA and NA (but not of 5-HT) activity in the brain, [188].…”