title: Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract against mercury(II)-induced cardiovascular oxidative damage in rats.
abstract: This study was designed to determine the possible protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) against Hg II-induced oxidative damage and also thromboplastic activity in the aorta and heart tissues. Wistar albino rats of either sex (200-250 g) were divided into four groups. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with (1) control (C) group: 0.9% NaCl; (2) EGb group: Ginkgo biloba extract (Abdi Ibrahim Pharmaceutical Company, Istanbul, Turkey) at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day; (3) Hg group: a single dose of 5 mg/kg mercuric chloride (HgCl(2)); and (4) Hg + EGb group: First day EGb at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day, i.p., 1 hour after HgCl(2) (5 mg/kg) injection; following four days EGb at a dose 50 mg/kg/day, i.p. After decapitation of the rats, trunk blood was obtained and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were analysed. In the aorta and heart tissues total protein, MDA, GSH levels and thromboplastic activity were determined. The results revealed that HgCl(2) induced oxidative tissue damage, as evidenced by increases in MDA levels and decreased GSH levels both in serum and tissue samples. Thromboplastic activity was increased significantly following Hg administration, which verifies the cardiotoxic effects of HgCl(2). Serum LDH and TNF-alpha were elevated in the Hg group compared with the control group. Since EGb treatment reversed these responses, it seems likely that Ginkgo biloba extract can protect the cardiovascular tissues against HgCl(2)-induced oxidative damage.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Department of Biochemistry, Marmara University, Turkey. ttunali@marmara.edu.tr
authors.forename: Tugba
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tunali-Akbay
authors.forename: Goksel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sener
authors.forename: Hanife
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Salvarli
authors.forename: Ozer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sehirli
authors.forename: Aysen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yarat
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008627:Mercuric Chloride; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D008627:Mercuric Chloride; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D005978:Glutathione