Dumont E Petit E Tarrade T Nouvelot A

UV-C irradiation-induced peroxidative degradation of microsomal fatty acids and proteins: protection by an extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb761).

In: Free Radic Biol Med (1992 Sep) 13(3):197-203

After exposure of rat liver microsomes to UV-C irradiation, analysis of membrane fatty acids by gas chromatography confirmed that EGb 761, a drug containing a dosed and standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba, provides effective protection against free radical attack in vitro. This analysis, coupled with thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reaction, permitted qualitative and overall quantitative evaluation of radical- induced damage to polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), as well as evidence of the antioxidant properties of the Ginkgo biloba extract. Assay of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) showed a correlation between TBARS concentration and the state of degradation of the polyunsaturated fatty acids. Mannitol (5.5 mM) did not prevent degradation of microsomal PUFA or malondialdehyde (MDA) production, nor did it prevent polymerization of membrane proteins. Low doses of EGb 761 were found to provide efficient protection of membrane PUFA regardless of individual susceptibility to peroxidation. This protection was accompanied by a decrease in the production of TBARS. EGb 761 also protected membrane proteins from the irreversible polymerization induced by these degradation products, but did not appear to prevent thiols oxidation into disulfide bonds.

Eckmann F., Schlag H.:

Etude controlee, a double insu, de l'activite de l'Extrait de Ginkgo biloba chez des malades atteints d'insuffisance cerebrale chronique.

In: Fortschritte der Medizin, 1982, 31132, 1474-1478.

Etienne A Hecquet F Clostre F

[Mechanism of action of Ginkgo biloba extract in experimental cerebral edema]

Mecanismes d'action de l'extrait de Ginkgo biloba sur l'oedeme cerebral experimental.

In: Presse Med (1986 Sep 25) 15(31):1506-10

Oedema is one of the major complication of cerebral ischaemia being at the same time a consequence and an aggravating factor. Its first phase is intracellular and cytotoxic, with breakdown of ionic pumps through loss of energy, resulting in a whole sequence of ionic perturbations characterized by loss of intracellular K+ and accumulation of water and Na+, Cl-, and Ca2+ ions in the cells of the ischaemic zone. The second phase, termed vasogenic, applies to the accumulation of lactates, inorganic phosphates and free polyunsaturated fatty acids and in particular, arachidonic acid. This last compound is responsible for the production of membrane "aggressors", amongst which free radicals play an important role. Ginkgo biloba extract limits the formation of cerebral oedema and suppresses its neurological consequences, whether the oedema is of cytotoxic (triethyltin) or vasogenic (unilateral traumatic oedema) origin. Several membrane mechanisms could be implicated in the protective action manifested by Ginkgo biloba extract against cerebral oedema.

Gautherie M Bourjat P Grosshans E Quenneville Y

[Vasodilator effect of Gingko biloba extract determined by skin thermometry and thermography]

In: THERAPIE (Sep-Oct 72) 27(5):881-92

Gessner B Voelp A Klasser M