title: Summative interaction between astaxanthin, Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb761) and vitamin C in suppression of respiratory inflammation: a comparison with ibuprofen.
abstract: In this study, combinations of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (EGb761) plus the carotenoid antioxidant astaxanthin (ASX) and vitamin C were evaluated for a summative dose effect in the inhibition of asthma-associated inflammation in asthmatic guinea-pigs. Ovalbumin-sensitized Hartley guinea-pigs challenged with ovalbumin aerosol to induce asthma, were administered EGb761, ASX, vitamin C or ibuprofen. Following killing, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was evaluated for inflammatory cell infiltrates and lung tissue cyclic nucleotide content. Each parameter measured was significantly altered to a greater degree by drug combinations, than by each component acting independently. An optimal combination was identified that included astaxanthin (10 mg/kg), vitamin C (200 mg/kg) and EGb761 (10 mg/kg), resulting in counts of eosinophils and neutrophils each 1.6-fold lower; macrophages 1.8-fold lower, cAMP 1.4-fold higher; and cGMP 2.04-fold higher than levels in untreated, asthmatic animals (p < 0.05). In conclusion, EGb761, ASX and vitamin C are shown here to interact summatively to suppress inflammation with efficacy equal to or better than ibuprofen, a widely used non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID). Such combinations of non-toxic phytochemicals constitute powerful tools for the prevention of onset of acute and chronic inflammatory disease if consumed regularly by healthy individuals; and may also augment the effectiveness of therapy for those with established illness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
authors.forename: David D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Haines
authors.forename: Balazs
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Varga
authors.forename: Istvan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bak
authors.forename: Bela
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Juhasz
authors.forename: Fadia F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Mahmoud
authors.forename: Heybatullah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kalantari
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gesztelyi
authors.forename: Istvan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lekli
authors.forename: Attila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Czompa
authors.forename: Arpad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tosaki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D007052:Ibuprofen; D010936:Plant Extracts; D024341:Xanthophylls; C063170:Ginkgo biloba extract; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract; C005948:astaxanthine