Anti‐amnestic properties of Ginkgo biloba extract on impaired memory function induced by aluminum in rats

Abstract

Aluminum is the most widely used non-ferrous metal. However, recently it is reported to be a neurotoxic agent that could induce biochemical defects in brain by affecting levels of neurotransmitters and generating reactive oxygen species resulting in oxidative stress. This study aimed at evaluating neuroprotective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract(2) (GBE) (200 mg/kg for 28 days) in antagonizing aluminum-induced neurotoxicity through investigating certain parameters such as serum aluminum level, brain aluminum content, brain regional distribution of aluminum, brain oxidative stress biomarkers' content, and brain acetylcholinesterase(3) (AChE) activity. Passive avoidance paradigm was used to assess memory retrieval of rats. Rats' activities were studied using open field test. Results showed that administration of aluminum (10 mg/kg for 28 days) impaired rats' memory retrieval associated with marked elevation of aluminum brain content, serum aluminum level and AChE activity. In addition, aluminum treatment induced significant elevation in its brain content in all tested regions. GBE treatment attenuated neurotoxic effects of aluminum as evidenced by improving rats' performance in passive avoidance and lowering brain AChE activity. Moreover, marked elevation in brain content of oxidized glutathione(4) (GSSG) and malonedialdehyde(5) (MDA) as well as depletion of reduced glutathione(6) (GSH) demonstrated following aluminum administration were reversed reaching normal levels after GBE treatment. Open field test, demonstrated no changes in latency period, number of ambulation, rearing, and grooming following aluminum or other treatments. Therefore, GBE may be a promising therapy ameliorating neurotoxicity of aluminum as an environmental toxic agent.

Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba L. against natural toxins, chemical toxicities, and radiation: A comprehensive review

“…Twenty‐eight‐day oral administration of 200 mg/kg of hydro‐alcoholic (50:50) GBLE caused a higher level of AChE activity and memory function without any changes in Al levels in serum or brain of the animals. GBLE also increased the reduced form of glutathione and decreased MDA level (Abd‐Elhady et al, ).…”

“…Several studies reported the beneficial effect of GBLE in Al‐induced memory and learning impairments and oxidative stress in the brain (Abd‐Elhady, Elsheikh, & Khalifa, ; Gong et al, ; Gong, Wu, Huang, Sun, & Shi, ; Mohammadzadeh et al, ). Learning and memory deficit were induced by both intragastric administration and drinking of AlCl 3 solution for 3 (Gong et al, ) or 5 months (Gong et al, ).…”

“…These biochemical and histological changes were improved by GB (200 mg/kg, orally for 3 months), which may be due to its antioxidant effects (Mohammadzadeh et al, ). In the study of Abd‐Elhady et al (), rats were treated with 10 mg/kg of aluminium lactate intraperitoneally for 28 days in order to induce the aluminium toxicity. In this group, Al level was significantly raised in serum, hippocampus, cortex, and whole brain; memory function in the passive avoidance task test was disrupted; and AChE activity was diminished.…”

“…Several studies reported the beneficial effect of GBLE in Alinduced memory and learning impairments and oxidative stress in the brain (Abd-Elhady, Elsheikh, & Khalifa, 2013;Gong et al, 2006;Gong, Wu, Huang, Sun, & Shi, 2005;Mohammadzadeh et al, 2017).…”

Proliposomes containing a bile salt for oral delivery of Ginkgo biloba extract: Formulation optimization, characterization, oral bioavailability and tissue distribution in rats

“…G. biloba extract (GbE), isolated from the dried leaves of G. biloba, has been reported to have many beneficial activities, including free radical scavenging (Wang et al, 2010), antioxidative (Boghdady, 2013), anti-inflammatory (Chen et al, 2013b), anti-tumor activities (Tsai et al, 2014), and neuroprotective effects (Abd-Elhady et al, 2013). GbE has become one of the best-selling botanical supplements in many European countries and in the USA for the prevention and adjunctive treatment of vascular and cognitive diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (Oken et al, 1998;Tchantchou et al, 2007), vertigo (Hamann, 2007;Sokolova et al, 2014), tinnitus (Hilton et al, 2013;Tziridis et al, 2014), and peripheral arterial occlusive diseases (Unger, 2013;Wang et al, 2007).…”