Therapeutic efficacy of EGb761 (Gingko biloba extract) in a transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
EGb761 is a standardized extract of green Gingko biloba, which exerts protective effects against mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress. We examined whether oral administration of 0.022% or 0.045% EGb761 in the diet could impart neuroprotective effects in a transgenic mouse model (G93A) of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). EGb761 significantly improved motor performance and survival, and protected against a loss of spinal-cord anterior motor horn neurons in male G93A mutant transgenic ALS mice, but not in littermate female mutant transgene mice. While EGb761 extended survival in littermate female G93A mice, significance was not reached. EGb761, however, significantly improved weight loss in both male and female transgenic ALS mice. These findings provide evidence for a gender-specific neuroprotective effect of EGb761 in a transgenic model of ALS and suggest that EGb761 may be a potential effective treatment in patients with ALS.
Ferrante
R J
RJ
Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Bedford VA Medical Center, MA 01730, USA. rjferr@bu.edu
Klein
A M
AM
Dedeoglu
A
A
Beal
M F
MF
D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D004032:Diet; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012399:Rotation; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics; D000072105:Superoxide Dismutase-1; D015996:Survival Rate; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000072105:Superoxide Dismutase-1; C000606290:SOD1 protein, human; C063170:Ginkgo biloba extract; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract; C000606291:Sod1 protein, mouse