Protective effect of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract on learning and memory deficit induced by aluminum in model rats.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GbE) on learning and memory deficit induced by aluminum chloride (AlCl(3)), and explore its mechanisms.


METHODS
The rat models with learning and memory deficit were induced by administering via gastrogavage and drinking of AlCl(3) solution. And the model rats were treated with GbE at the dose of 50, 100, 200 mg/kg every day for 2 months accompanied with drinking of AlCl(3) solution, respectively. Their abilities of spatial learning and memory were tested by Morris water maze, and the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in serum was assayed with chemical method, the AChE expression in hippocampus was observed by immunohistochemistry assay, and then quantitative analysis was done by BI 2000 image analysis system.


RESULTS
Learning and memory deficit of rats could be induced by AlCl(3) solution (P < 0.01), and AChE expressions in rats hippocampus were increased (P < 0.01); GbE ameliorated learning and memory deficit and reduced AChE expression in rats hippocampus in a dose-dependent manner, while GbE significantly increased serum AChE activity at the dose of 200 mg/kg each day (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
GbE can ameliorate learning and memory deficit induced by AlCl(3), which may be due to its inhibition of the AChE expression in hippocampus.
Gong
Qi-hai
QH
Wu
Qin
Q
Huang
Xie-nan
XN
Sun
An-sheng
AS
Nie
Jing
J
Shi
Jing-shan
JS
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000077410:Aluminum Chloride; D017607:Aluminum Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D002712:Chlorides / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000201:enzymology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D018514:Plant Structures; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011930:Reaction Time
D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D002712:Chlorides; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000077410:Aluminum Chloride; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase