Researchers found its antioxidant properties were key in protecting the brain neurons of rats from oxidative stress caused by aluminium chloride (AlClʒ) intake.
“The toxic effect of AlClʒ caused significant histologic changes in brain and testis tissues which is in agreement with other data that found accumulation of Al metal in neurons which cause ultra-structural changes,” wrote researchers from the Atomic Energy Authority in Egypt wrote in Nutrition Journal.
“Administration of ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) with aluminium chloride improved some biochemical and histologic changes observed in the brain and testis of male rats.”
Overexposure to aluminium, a potent neurotoxin, could be a possible factor in several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, say researchers.
GbE on the other hand, has antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties. It has been used to help treating cerebral disorders that result from ageing and hypoxia. Previous studies also highlighted its ability to regulate neurotransmitters and exert neuprotective effects.
“Due to the properties of Ginkgo biloba, it was selected as a subject to investigate the potential capacity of its leaf extract as a protector against the possible toxic effects of AlCl3 on the brain and testis of male rats,” researchers wrote.
In this study, 24 male rats were divided into four groups. Group one served as control and received distilled water. Group two was dosed with GbE (200mg), and group three with AlClʒ (10mg).
Group four was given GbE (200mg) first, followed by AlClʒ (10mg).
Cell damage
All dosages were given daily for three months, after which all rats were sacrificed and the brains and testes examined.
The rats given AlClʒ showed significant cell damage as indicated by the increase of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the brain and testis. There were also a huge decrease in the level of serum testosterone.
On the other hand, rats with GbE + AlClʒ had lower TBARS, and more of the antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) in both brain and testis tissues.
“The histologic examination showed some degenerative changes in both brain and testis tissues (of AlClʒ rats), while significant improvement in biochemical and histologic changes were observed in the GbE + AlClʒ group,” the study noted.
The study concluded that the protective effect of GbE may be attributed to its antioxidant properties.
“The protective effect of GbE was clearly observed in testis and brain tissues treated with GbE before AlClʒ treatment,” researchers added.
Source: Nutrition Journal
DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2016.10.012
“Ginkgo biloba extract alleviates oxidative stress and some neurotransmitters changes induced by aluminium chloride in rats”
Authors: Naglaa El-Shahat Mohamed, Ahmed E. Abd El-Moneim