title: A dose-effect relationship of Ginkgo biloba extract to nerve regeneration in a rat model.
abstract: The effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb(50)) on nerve regeneration and its dose-effect relationship was investigated in a rat model. Sciatic nerve transection and repair was done in 120 Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were divided into four groups and given normal saline, low-dose EGb(50) (50 mg kg(-1) d(-1)), moderate-dose EGb(50) (100 mg kg(-1) d(-1)), and high-dose EGb(50) (200 mg kg(-1) d(-1)), respectively. Electrophysiological, histological examinations, and functional evaluation were conducted at various postoperative intervals. Sensory regeneration distance, sciatic functional index (SFI), motor nerve conduction velocity, compound muscle action potential, axon regeneration index, and muscle mass were significantly higher in EGb(50) groups than in saline groups. All but SFI of those parameters were better in high-dose group when compared with those in moderate- and low-dose groups. EGb(50) has the effect of promoting regeneration of injured peripheral nerve. The higher the dose, the better the result.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Haodong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Huan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Desong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yudong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gu
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D052581:Pinch Strength; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts