title: Neuroprotective action of Ginkgo biloba on the enteric nervous system of diabetic rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on the enteric neurons in the small intestine of diabetic rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control group (C), diabetic group (D) and diabetic-treated (DT) daily with EGb 761 extract (50 mg/kg body weight) for 120 d. The enteric neurons were identified by the myosin-V immunohistochemical technique. The neuronal density and the cell body area were also analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant decrease in the neuronal population (myenteric plexus P = 0.0351; submucous plexus P = 0.0217) in both plexuses of the jejunum in group D when compared to group C. With regard to the ileum, there was a significant decrease (P = 0.0117) only in the myenteric plexus. The DT group showed preservation of the neuronal population in the jejunum submucous plexus and in the myenteric plexus in the ileum. The cell body area in group D increased significantly (P = 0.0001) in the myenteric plexus of both segments studied as well as in the ileum submucosal plexus, when compared to C. The treatment reduced (P = 0.0001) the cell body area of the submucosal neurons of both segments and the jejunum myenteric neurons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The purified Ginkgo biloba extract has a neuroprotective effect on the jejunum submucous plexus and the myenteric plexus of the ileum of diabetic rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphological Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Av. Colombo, 5790 Bloco H-79, CEP 87020-900, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Glasiella Gonzalez Perez
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Jacqueline Nelisis
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Zanoni
authors.forename: Nilza Cristina
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Buttow
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D007082:Ileum / Q000294:innervation; D007583:Jejunum / Q000294:innervation; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013311:Streptozocin
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D013311:Streptozocin