Mitochondrial Physiology Network 10.9: 126-127 (2005) - download pdf

Mitochondrial protection using Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) in vitro and in vivo using several animal models.

Reham M Abdel-Kader, I Scherping, S Hauptmann, U Keil, WE Müller

Dept. Pharmacology, Biocenter, University of Frankfurt, 60439 Frankfurt, Germany. - abdel-kader@pharmchem.uni-frankfurt.de

    During aging mitochondrial abnormalities occur assisting the development of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) is known to aid in the prevention of age-associated mitochondrial changes [1]. A decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential is a key element indicating mitochondrial dysfunction. Previous studies in our labs showed the protective effect of EGb 761 on mitochondrial membrane potential in vitro using PC 12 cells [2]. In this study we extended our in vitro results by using brain dissociated cells prepared from NMRI mice at the age of 3 months. The EGb 761 extract showed significant protection on mitochondrial membrane potential in concentrations as low as 0.1 mg/ml. Moreover we investigated the effect of EGb 761 in vivo using transgenic (tg) mice bearing mutant amyloid precursor protein (Swedish and London mutation) and non-tg littermate control mice at the age of 3 months. TgAPP mice exhibit onset of amyloid beta plaques at an age of 6 months, but intracellular amyloid beta load is already seen at an age of 3 months. The treated mice received 100 mg/kg EGb 761 in 0.9% NaCl solution while the untreated controls received 0.9% NaCl solution only per os daily for 14 consecutive days. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured in dissociated brain cells prepared from treated and untreated control groups after initiating mitochondrial damage by sodium nitroprusside (SNP), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and amyloid beta peptide. EGb 761 showed a protective effect on mitochondrial membrane potential in both animal models in comparison to the untreated controls. In conclusion our results indicate the protective effects of EGb 761 on the mitochondria both in vitro and in vivo using several different animal models.

1.  Sastre J, Millan A, Garcia de la Asuncion J, Pla R, Juan G, Pallardo, O'Connor E, Martin JA, Droy-Lefaix MT, Vina J (1998) A Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) prevents mitochondrial aging by protecting against oxidative stress. Free Radic. Biol Med. 15: 298-304.

2.  Eckert A, Keil U, Kressmann S, Schindowski K, Leutner S, Leutz S, Müller WE (2003) Effects of EGb 761 Ginkgo biloba extract on mitochondrial function and oxidative stress. Pharmacopsychiatry 36 Suppl. 1: S15-23.