title: Effect of Gingko biloba extract (EGb 761) on chloroquine induced retinal alterations.
abstract: Electroretinography was used to investigate the preventive action of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) in experimental chloroquine-induced retinopathy in rats. EGb 761 contains flavones and anthocyanosides known for their oxygenated radical scavenging properties. Chronic administration of chloroquine (20 days) caused an overall lengthening of the duration of the ERG b-wave, together with delayed peaking. These anomalies became more marked with increased duration of treatment. In rats treated simultaneously with chloroquine and EGb 761 no such modification of the electroretinogram (ERG) was observed. These results suggest that retinal toxicity may be related to a localized inflammation releasing oxygenated free radicals and/or PAF. EGb 761 may thus afford a useful preventive treatment for chloroquine-induced retinopathy, and generally for xenobiotic retinotoxicities.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Biophysique, Unité INSERM U71, Facultés de Médecine et de Pharmacie, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Droy-Lefaix
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Vennat
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Besse
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doly
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D003623:Dark Adaptation; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000187:drug effects; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract
chemical_list: D002738:Chloroquine; D010936:Plant Extracts; C063170:Ginkgo biloba extract; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract