title: Extracts of Ginkgo biloba and Panax ginseng protect brain proteins from free radical induced oxidative damage in vitro.
abstract: Oxidative damage to normal human brain tissue was induced following exposure to hydroxyl (OH.) or superoxide (O2-.) free radical species generated by CO60 irradiation in vitro. Both enzymic and cytoskeletal proteins showed substantial (dose dependent) oxidative damage following exposure to OH. or O2-., as quantified by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis. Extracts of Ginkgo biloba or Panax ginseng showed a remarkable capacity to protect brain tissue proteins from oxidative damage in vitro, even at extreme (2000 kRads) dosage levels of OH. or O2-.. We suggest, therefore, that the beneficial effect of these plant extracts in preventing brain tissue damage in vivo (e.g. following ischemia-reperfusion) may result from their action in protecting brain proteins from oxidative damage, in addition to their previously reported capacity to reduce free radical induced lipid peroxidation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Regional Neurosciences Centre, Newcastle General Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Siddique
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Eddeb
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mantle
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Mendelow
mesh_terms: D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000473:pathology; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000473:pathology*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000473:pathology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D046508:Culture Techniques; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005894:Panax; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000473:pathology*; D014020:Tissue Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D014020:Tissue Extracts