Neuroprotective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract and Ginkgolide B against oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation and glucose injury in a new in vitro multicellular network model

Abstract

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS), as the third leading cause of death worldwide, is characterized by its high incidence, mortality rate, high incurred disability rate, and frequent reoccurrence. The neuroprotective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) against several cerebral diseases have been reported in previous studies, but the underlying mechanisms of action are still unclear. Using a novel in vitro rat cortical capillary endothelial cell-astrocyte-neuron network model, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of GBE and one of its important constituents, Ginkgolide B (GB), against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation and glucose (OGD/R) injury. In this model, rat cortical capillary endothelial cells, astrocytes, and neurons were cocultured so that they could be synchronously observed in the same system. Pretreatment with GBE or GB increased the neuron cell viability, ameliorated cell injury, and inhibited the cell apoptotic rate through Bax and Bcl-2 expression regulation after OGD/R injury. Furthermore, GBE or GB pretreatment enhanced the transendothelial electrical resistance of capillary endothelial monolayers, reduced the endothelial permeability coefficients for sodium fluorescein (Na-F), and increased the expression levels of tight junction proteins, namely, ZO-1 and occludin, in endothelial cells. Results demonstrated the preventive effects of GBE on neuronal cell death and enhancement of the function of brain capillary endothelial monolayers after OGD/R injury in vitro; thus, GBE could be used as an effective neuroprotective agent for AIS/reperfusion, with GB as one of its significant constituents.

Ginkgo biloba extract protects human melanocytes from H2O2‐induced oxidative stress by activating Nrf2

“…EGb761 is widely used in treating cardiovascular, neurological, endocrinological and immunological disorders . Furthermore, its safety and effectiveness in clinical use have been well recognized and its adverse effects are rare .…”

Nanoformulations of Herbal Extracts in Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders

“…Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) is an ancient Chinese tree, extensively cultivated for traditional and medical purposes. G. biloba extract contains flavonol glycosides, bilobalide, terpene trilactones, and varied forms of ginkgolides, and ginkgolic acid (Müller et al, 2012;Yang et al, 2018). In Europe, the standardized form of G. biloba extract is broadly used to improve the therapeutic condition of patients with various forms of dementia (Maurer et al, 1997;Luo, 2001).…”

Plants with evidence-based therapeutic effects against neurodegenerative diseases

“…43 It has also been shown that Ginkgo bioactive agents as ginkgolides and bilobalide exert beneficial effects in animal models of acute neurodegeneration induced mainly by hypoxia and ischemia. [44][45][46] Mdzinarishvili et al, 47 showed that pre-treatment with EGb761 extracts strongly reduce cellular oedema formation and neurodegeneration under ischemia conditions and that the mechanism could be related to a reduction of excitotoxicity due to high glutamate release during ischemia.…”