Ginkgo biloba leaf extract enhances levels of caspase-3 and amyloid precursor protein in normal rat hippocampus.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) on the levels of caspase-3 and amyloid precursor protein (APP) in normal rats' hippocampus.


METHODS
Immunohistochemistry method was used for qualitative analysis of the expressions of caspase-3 and APP, and an image analysis method was used for the quantification of the levels of caspase-3 and APP after GbE was administered to rats of different ages for 14 d.


RESULTS
The mean absorbance of staining of caspase-3 and APP was markedly higher in GbE group than that in control groups. The expressions of caspase-3 and APP were intensified in the hippocampus of rats after GbE administration.


CONCLUSIONS
GbE can raise the levels of caspase-3 and APP in the hippocampus of normal rats.
Luo
Can
C
Department of Pharmacology, Zunyi Medical College, 563003, China.
Wu
Qin
Q
Huang
Xie-Nan
XN
Sun
An-Sheng
AS
Shi
Jing-Shan
JS
D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004792:Enzyme Precursors / Q000378:metabolism; D020441:Ginkgo biloba / Q000737:chemistry; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D004792:Enzyme Precursors; C505410:Casp3 protein, rat; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases