title: Evaluation of a ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) in functional tests for monoamine oxidase inhibition.
abstract: A standardized extract of ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) was evaluated in functional tests for monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition in mice: l-dihydroxyphenylalanine (CAS 59-92-7,1-DOPA) potentiation, tryptamine (CAS 61-54-1) potentiation, 5-hydroxytryptophan (CAS 4350-07-6,5-HTP) potentiation and phenylethylamine (CAS 64-04-0) potentiation. The doses investigated (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg p.o once daily for 5 days) were those known to possess anti-stress properties in other animal models. In contrast to the reference substances investigated (nialamide (CAS 51-12-7), clorgyline (CAS 17780-75-5) and 1-deprenyl (CAS 14611-52-01), EGb 761 did not exhibit any activity indicative of MAO inhibition. It was concluded that MAO inhibition was not the mechanism primarily responsible for EGb 761's anti-stress activity.
authors.affiliation: Porsolt and Partners Pharmacology, Boulogne-Billancourt, France. rporsolt@porsolt.com
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Porsolt
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roux
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Drieu
mesh_terms: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020441:Ginkgo biloba / Q000737:chemistry*; D007980:Levodopa / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010627:Phenethylamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D014202:Tremor / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology; D014363:Tryptamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract
chemical_list: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan; D015259:Dopamine Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D007980:Levodopa; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D010627:Phenethylamines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014363:Tryptamines; C063170:Ginkgo biloba extract; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract