Ginkgo Biloba

Despite advances in diabetes care, impaired diabetic wound healing remains a significant clinical problem. The present study was aimed at developing a novel cream based on Ginkgo biloba extract and investigating its wound healing effect on full-thickness wounds in diabetic rats. The topical formulated oil-in-water emulsion-based cream contains Ginkgo biloba aqueous extract in an amount of about 1% to 5% as an active agent. The prepared formula was subjected to physicochemical assessment and pharmacotechnical characterization. Eighteen alloxan-induced diabetic rats completing full-thickness excisional skin wounds were randomly divided into three groups topically treated with either a normal saline (control group), the reference drug (“Cytol Centella cream®”), and cream based on the Ginkgo biloba extract. The response to treatment was assessed by macroscopic, qualitative, and quantitative histopathological analysis. The prepared formula showed good physicochemical properties. The rheo...

Smaller adipocytes are related to the reversal of metabolic disorders, suggesting that molecules that can act in the adipogenesis pathway are of great interest. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) in modulating the differentiation in preadipocytes. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated for 7 days into adipocytes without (control group) and with GbE at 1.0 mg/mL. Lipid content and gene expression were analyzed on day 7 (D7) by Oil Red O staining and PCR Array Gene Expression. Western blotting analysis of the key adipogenesis markers was evaluated during the differentiation process at days 3 (D3), 5 (D5), and 7 (D7). GbE increased lipid content and raised the gene expression of the main adipogenesis markers. Key proteins of the differentiation process were modulated by GbE, since C/EBPβ levels were decreased, while C/EBPα levels were increased at D7. Regarding the mature adipocytes’ markers, GbE enhanced the levels of both FABP4 ...

Since obesity and its co-morbidities have become huge public health problems, it is uncountable the requirement of new approaches to treat both obesity and its related disorders. Conventional pharmacological anti-obesogenic therapies present several unwanted effects which represent serious health risk. Therefore, new therapeutic alternatives are necessary to control body weight gain in order to reduce the associated diseases development, such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). Ginkgo biloba Extract (GbE) has been recently described as a potential anti-obesogenic and hypoglycemic agent since it reduced food/energy intake, body weight gain and visceral adiposity as well as improved insulin signaling and sensitivity in obese rats. Considering the beneficial effects observed in an experimental model of obesity, GbE has been pointed as a new therapeutic perspective for both obesity and T2D treatment.

We have previously shown that standardized extracts of Ginkgo biloba (EGb) modulate fear memory formation, which is associated with CREB-1 (mRNA and protein) upregulation in the dorsal hippocampal formation (dHF), in a dose-dependent manner. Here, we employed proteomic analysis to investigate EGb effects on different protein expression patterns in the dHF, which might be involved in the regulation of CREB activity and the synaptic plasticity required for long-term memory (LTM) formation. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 6/group) and were submitted to conditioned lick suppression 30 min after vehicle (12% Tween 80) or EGb (0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 g•kg -1 ) administration (p.o). All rats underwent a retention test session 48 h after conditioning. Twenty-four hours after the test session, the rats were euthanized via decapitation, and dHF samples were removed for proteome analysis using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by peptide mass fingerprinting. In agreement with our previous data, no differences in the suppression ratios (SRs) were identified among the groups during first trial of CS (conditioned stimulus) presentation (P > 0.05). Acute treatment with 0.25 g•kg -1 EGb significantly resulted in retention of original memory, without prevent acquisition of extinction withinsession. In addition, our results showed, for the first time, that 32 proteins were affected in the dHF following treatment with 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 g•kg -1 doses of EGb, which upregulated seven, 19, and five proteins, respectively. Additionally, EGb downregulated two proteins at each dose. These proteins are correlated with remodeling of the cytoskeleton; the stability, size, and shape of dendritic spines; myelin sheath formation; and composition proteins of structures found in the membrane of the somatodendritic and axonal compartments. Our findings suggested that EGb modulates conditioned suppression LTM through differential protein expression profiles, which may be a target for cognitive enhancers and for the prevention or treatment of neurocognitive impairments.

Menopause is associated with increased risk to develop obesity but the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. We have shown that Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) improved diet-induced obesity. Since GbE might be effective in the treatment of obesity related to menopause, avoiding the side effects of hormone replacement therapy, we investigated the effect of GbE on hypothalamic systems controlling energy homeostasis. Wistar rats were either ovariectomized (OVX) or Sham-operated. After 2 months, either 500 mg.kg -1 of GbE or vehicle were administered daily by gavage for 14 days. A subset of animals received an intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of serotonin (300 µg) or vehicle and food intake was measured after 12 and 24 h. Another subset was submitted to in vivo microdialysis and 5-HT levels of the medial hypothalamus were measured by high performance liquid chromatography, before and up to 2 h after the administration of 500 mg.kg -1 of GbE. Additional animals were used for quantification of 5-HT 1A , 5-HT 1B , 5-HT 2C , 5-HTT, and pro-opiomelanocortin hypothalamic protein levels by Western blotting. OVX increased food intake and body weight and adiposity while GbE attenuated these alterations. i.c.v. serotonin significantly reduced food intake in Sham, Sham + GbE, and OVX + GbE groups while it failed to do so in the OVX group. In the OVX rats, GbE stimulated 5-HT microdialysate levels while it reduced hypothalamic 5-HTT protein levels. The results indicate that GbE improved the ovariectomy-induced resistance to serotonin hypophagia, at least in part through stimulation of the hypothalamic serotonergic activity. Since body weight gain is one of the most important consequences of menopause, the stimulation of the serotonergic transmission by GbE may represent a potential alternative therapy for menopause-related obesity.

Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) has been indicated as an efficient medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2. It remains unclear if its effects are due to an improvement of the insulin signaling cascade, especially in obese subjects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of GbE on insulin tolerance, food intake, body adiposity, lipid profile, fasting insulin, and muscle levels of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B), and protein kinase B (Akt), as well as Akt phosphorylation, in diet-induced obese rats. Rats were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) or a normal fat diet (NFD) for 8 weeks. After that, the HFD group was divided into two groups: rats gavaged with a saline vehicle (HFD+ +V), and rats gavaged with 500 mg/kg of GbE diluted in the saline vehicle (HFD+ +Gb). NFD rats were gavaged with the saline vehicle only. At the end of the treatment, the rats were anesthetized, insulin was injected into the portal vein, and after 90s, the gastrocnemius muscle was removed. The quantification of IRS-1, Akt, and Akt phosphorylation was performed using Western blotting. Serum levels of fasting insulin and glucose, triacylglycerols and total cholesterol, and LDL and HDL fractions were measured. An insulin tolerance test was also performed. Ingestion of a hyperlipidic diet promoted loss of insulin sensitivity and also resulted in a significant increase in body adiposity, plasma triacylglycerol, and glucose levels. In addition, GbE treatment significantly reduced food intake and body adiposity while it protected against hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in diet-induced obesity rats. It also enhanced insulin sensitivity in comparison to HFD+ +V rats, while it restored insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation, increased IRS-1, and reduced PTP-1B levels in gastrocnemius muscle. The present findings suggest that G. biloba might be efficient in preventing and treating obesity-induced insulin signaling impairment.

Due to the high incidence and severity of obesity and its related disorders, it is highly desirable to develop new strategies to treat or even to prevent its development. We have previously described thatGinkgo bilobaextract (GbE) improved insulin resistance and reduced body weight gain of obese rats. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the effect of GbE on both inflammatory cascade and insulin signaling in retroperitoneal fat depot of diet-induced obese rats. Rats were fed with high fat diet for 2 months and thereafter treated for 14 days with 500 mg/kg of GbE. Rats were then euthanized and samples from retroperitoneal fat depot were used for western blotting, RT-PCR, and ELISA experiments. The GbE treatment promoted a significant reduction on both food/energy intake and body weight gain in comparison to the nontreated obese rats. In addition, a significant increase of both Adipo R1 and IL-10 gene expressions and IR and Akt phosphorylation was also observed, while NF-κB p65 p...

Recent collections by the authors and others have yielded a new North American record, 38 additional new vascular plant state records for Indiana, and an additional five collections deemed noteworthy due to being recent observations of species that were considered extirpated from Indiana when they were discovered. Voucher specimens for all new records reside at various herbaria.

Studies were undertaken to explore the storage behaviour of Jaman(Syzygium cuminii L. Skeels) seeds. Seeds were dried down to different moisturelevels. Mean germination percentage was the highest (99.1%) at ambient moisturecontent (60%). Reduction in seed moisture ...

Cytotoxic brain edema has been produced in rats by subacute intoxication with triethyltin (YET). Some animals were allowed to recover spontaneously, others were post-treated with an extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGB) for 1 to 4 weeks, beginning 3 days after intoxication was stopped. The time course of the resolution of the edema was studied biochemically and morphologically by light microscopy, histochemistry and electron microscopy (EM). Morphometric evaluation showed that the spontaneous reabsorption of TET-induced edema was very slow: it was evident only 2 weeks after ending YET administration and it required more than 4 weeks to be completed. EGB therapy markedly decreased the vacuolation, as well as the abnormal levels of water and sodium contents, i week after beginning the treatment. Less influence of EGB was observed at the later stages. During spontaneous recovery, astroglial cells in the edematous white matter of YET-intoxicated animals showed short and swollen processes containing few organelles, low levels of NADH-and NADPHtetrazolium reductase activities and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunofluorescence for about 2 weeks. During EGB therapy the astrocytes regained their cellular processes, containing intense oxidative enzyme activities and GFAP-immunofluorescence as early as after 1 week of treatment. In the EM, astrocytes often appeared hypertrophic, surrounding myelin vacuoles and displaying phagocytosis of myelin debris. We conclude that EGB can accelerate the reabsorption of TET-induced cerebral edema and improve the astroglial reaction.

The main goal of our study was to use two DNA fingerprinting techniques (RAPD and AFLP) for revealing the possible intraspecific genetic variation between Ginkgo biloba individuals grown in different sites. Ten of the twenty RAPD (Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA ) decamer primers yielded scorable amplification patterns and generated polymorphic bands among the genotypes studied. Of the 165 AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) primer combinations used, Ecs-AGG+MCG have revealed the largest number of polymorphic bands ( ) among samples of Ginkgo biloba originating from Romania and Denmark. The least number of polymorfic bands (74) was detected using primer combination Ecs-AGG+MGA. Individuals of Ginkgo, analyzed by the techniques mentioned above, clustered into two main groups and the values of genetic similarity coefficients between data shows some differences at DNA molecular level.

Em todo o mundo se observa um aumento do consumo de frutas. Essa demanda crescente dos consumidores por uma maior variedade de frutas em sua dieta é motivada por uma série de fatores que levam às modificações nos hábitos alimentares, tais como: maior cuidado com a saúde e aspectos nutritivos dos alimentos, sensibilidade crescente em relação aos fatores ecológicos, campanhas publicitárias sobre os benefícios do consumo de frutas, envelhecimento da população, que amplia o conjunto consumidor de maior idade, tendência a desprendimento dos horários e costumes e consumidor aberto a novos sabores, atraído por novos produtos . Este interesse não se estende somente para frutas tropicais frescas, mas também para sucos processados. O impacto desta demanda nos países em desenvolvimento tem promovido o aumento na capacidade de produção e processamento, dessa maneira assegurando a oferta desses produtos no mercado mundial. Sucos mistos de frutas com sabores e aromas exóticos estão sendo produzidos em todo o mundo, principalmente com a participação de frutas tropicais. Esses produtos podem

Objective: Suitable plasma concentration at the site of action is a crucial therapeutic goal, so slow-release pharmaceutical dosage forms have been very effective. This study planned to investigate the plasma concentrations of curcumin (Cur) and selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) following the administration of a slow-release system of SeNPs loaded with Cur (SeNPs@Cur). Methods: 75 adult male rats were randomly divided into five groups. The control group received no treatment. In other groups, a single dose of 5 ml of 10% ethanol (solvent group), 0.25 mg/kg SeNPs, 50 mg/kg Cur, and 0.25 mg/kg SeNPs loaded with 50 mg/kg Cur (SeNPs@Cur) were administered intraperitoneally. Blood samples were taken on days 1, 3, and 5, and blood concentrations of SeNPs and Cur were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), respectively. Results: The concentration of Cur in the Cur group was less than five µg on day 1 and gradually decreased over 5 d to zero. The blood concentration of Cur was approximately 15 µg on day 1 in the SeNPs@Cur group, then decreased until the 3 rd day, and finally remained at a constant level of 5 µg on the 5 th d. Selenium concentration decreased in the SeNPs group, from 160 µg on day 1 to 100 µg on day 5. Selenium concentration in the SeNPs@Cur group was 180 µg on the first day, then decreased to 110 µg on the fifth day. SeNPs@Cur maintained a plasma curcumin level of 5 µg on day 5 compared to undetectable levels in the Cur group. Conclusion: This study showed that the intraperitoneal administration of SeNPs@Cur, compared to the administration of free Cur, initially causes a high serum concentration and a loading dose, which continues with the slow release, increasing and maintaining the Cur serum level in the longterm treatment period.

Background: There is inconsistency in the application of antioxidants in tumor treatment. This study explored whether the application of an antioxidant at the early stage of tumor transplantation enhances efficacy of a chemotherapeutic agent in inhibiting tumor cell growth. Methods: EMT-6 cells were injected into 48 ICR mice. 24h later, cyclophosphamide (CTX) and Ginkgo biloba L. extract (GBE) were administered to mice separately and in combination. Apoptotic markers and related signaling pathways were measured. Tumor weights were compared and survival analysis was used to investigate latency periods in the three treatment groups compared to a PBS control group. Results: The mice administered GBE and CTX had significantly lower tumor weights compared with those administered PBS (p=0.01), however, the mice administered CTX did not have significantly lower tumor weight compared with those administered PBS (p=0.19). The expression of NF-κB, IκB-ɑ,, and the phosphorylation of NF-κB, IκB...

Болезнь Альцгеймера (БА) представляет собой с каждым годом «молодеющее» нейродегенеративное заболевание c характерным нарушением когнитивных функций. Впервые Алоис Альцгеймер выявил в мозге пациентов наличие бета-амилоидных белков. Актуальной проблемой является раскрытие нейрофизиологических механизмов развития БА. Цель - поиск природных антиоксидантов, способных регулировать развитие БА и восстановление памяти. Изучалась реабилитационная роль куркумы (К) и Гинкго Билоба  (ГБ) при создании экспериментального аналога БА. Применяли метод двусторонней бульбэктомии. После полного нарушения памяти мы использовали экстракт К (группа II) и экстракт ГБ (группа III).
Материалы и методы: Объектом служили крысы – альбиносы весом 180-270 гр. Животные были разделены на три группы: контроль (I); получавшие экстракт К(II); получавшие экстракт ГБ (III). Все группы обучались в водном лабиринте Морриса (G.Morris,1983). Платформа диаметром 12 см была ниже поверхности воды, закрашенной молоком. Обучение длилось 7 дней. Латентный период (ЛП) поиска наивных крыс: 90 – 120 с. К концу обучения ЛП всех групп сокращался до 10-12 секунд. Была сформирована зрительно контролируемая пространственная память. Модель БА создавалась двусторонней хирургической бульбэктомией. Через три месяца после бульбэктомии провели тестирование. Наблюдалось тотальное нарушение пространственной памяти (ЛП увеличился до 90 – 120 с.). Далее в течение 7 дней животные группы (II) получали экстракт К, а группы (III) - экстракт ГБ.
Результаты: Тестирование (I) выявило нарушение у крыс пространственной памяти. Следовательно, был получен аналог БА. Администрация экстракта К (II) приводила к уменьшению ЛП поиска (2 – 8 - 10 с.). Выявлено, что дминистрация экстракта ГБ (III) за 15-25 с. «К» оказывает более мощный эффект, чем прием «ГБ». Таким образом, в исследовании была показана реабилитационная роль К и ГБ на аналоге БА. Доказано сходство и различие восстановительных функций мозга от эффектов К и ГБ на модели БА. ЛП поиска платформы группой крыс после получения К в 3 раза короче, чем после администрации ГБ. Следовательно, экстракт К обладает более сильными реабилитационными свойствами по сравнению с экстрактом ГБ.

Background: The metabolic syndrome describes a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors that frequently appear together. Its diagnosis is generally based on several well-recognized indicators in clinical practice, such as abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, reduced highdensity lipoprotein, raised blood pressure, and elevated fasting plasma glucose. Today, decisive importance must be attached to the metabolic syndrome since it leads to increased morbidity and mortality, and thus to a decreased life expectancy, and to higher direct and indirect healthcare costs. This is also due to the fact that its symptomatology irradiates on many organs of the body, which may thereby be damaged. Methods: In the present clinical trial on 11 metabolic syndrome patients treated with Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761, 2  120 mg/d) for two months, ellipsometry, fluorescence microscopy, photometric methods, ELISAs and EIAs were applied for biosensor profiling of metabolic syndrome risk, status and treatment outcome. Results: A spectrum of more than 20 arteriosclerotic, cytokinic, inflammatory, lipidic, and oxidative stress biomarkers served for a detailed diagnosis and therapy monitoring. After medication, the ratio oxLDL/LDL was reduced by 21.0%, 8-iso-PGF 2α 39.8%, MPO 29.6%, IL-6 12.9%, hs-CRP 39.3%, Lp(a) 26.3%, MMP-9 32.9%, insulin 9.4%, HOMA-IR 14.0%, ALP 14.8%, CREA 11.3%, URAC 10.6%, in vitro modelled nanoplaque formation 14.3% and size 23.4%, whereas SOD was augmented by 17.7%, GPx 11.6%, cAMP 43.5%, and cGMP 32.9%. Special focus was concentrated on the significance of lipid peroxidation for cardio-cerebro-vascular diseases. Through multiple correlations between the biomarkers and clinical parameters, their significance for and involvement in several clinical pictures could be elucidated. Conclusion: The present clinical observational study was helpful in unravelling this network of biomarker interactions and demonstrated its usefulness for theranostics. For personalized medicine, the selection of the biomarkers is of decisive importance. On the background of a growing obesity among children and adolescents with an increase in prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, diagnosing this syndrome in young subjects may be helpful in identifying a population of risk for increased subclinical arteriosclerosis.

Sodium metabisulfite (SMB) is a biocide and antioxidant agent generally used as a preservative in food and beverage industries but can oxidize to harmful sulfite radicals. A standardized Ginkgo biloba (EGb-761) has demonstrated potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, which is beneficial for the treatment of diseases that exhibit oxidative stress and inflammation. The present study sought to investigate the putative ameliorative effects of EGb-761 against SMB-induced toxicity in mice. Thirty-two male Swiss white mice were randomized into control, SMB-treated, SMB + EGb-761-treated, and EGb-761-treated groups. EGb-761 (100 mg/kg/day) and SMB (98 mg/kg/day) were administered by gastric gavage for 40 days. Oral administration of EGb-761 restored SMB-induced decrease in body weight and prevented SMB-induced thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, and anemia. Furthermore, EGb-761-treatment protected against SMB-induced liver and kidney injury depicted by decreased serum levels of asp...

Abstract: A simple and accurate methods to determine Rabeprazole sodium, in pure powder and tablet dosage form, were developed and validated using liquid chromatography (LC). The LC separation was achieved on a Inertsil ODS 3V, 150 x 4.6 mm, 5µ in the isocratic ...

By Sephadex LH-20 gel chromatography of an extract from Gingko biloba leaves, polymeric proanthocyanidins were eluted after the fractions of flavonol glycosides and biflavone glycosides. A purified proanthocyanidin polymer accounted for 86.6% of the total proanthocyanidins, and for 37.7% of the total antioxidant activity of this leaf extract. For structure elucidation, the polymer was submitted to acidic depolymerization in the presence of phloroglucinol. The structures of the resulting flavan-3-ols and phloroglucinol adducts were determined on the basis of 1D-and reverse 2D-NMR (HSQC, HMBC) spectra of their peracetylated derivatives, MALDI-TOF-MS and CD-spectroscopy. The observations resulting from the degradation with phloroglucinol were confirmed by 13 C-NMR spectroscopy of the polymer. The mean molecular weight of the polymeric fraction was estimated to be 9-10 flavan-3-ol-units.

Context: Ginkgo biloba L (Ginkgoaceae) is a traditional herbal medicinal plant for the treatment of mild to moderate cognitive disorders, tinnitus, and dementia. These uses may be correlated with the presence of radical scavenging compounds. Objective: The chemical composition and the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of the flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins from G. biloba were studied. Material and methods: The compounds have been isolated using column chromatography on Sephadex LH-20 and MCI gel and the structures were determined on the basis of 1D-and 2D-NMR (HSQC, HMBC) experiments of their peracetylated derivatives, MALDI-TOF-MS and by acid-catalyzed degradation with phloroglucinol. The DPPH radical scavenging activities of the compounds were investigated. Results: The new trimeric prodelphinidin, epigallocatechin-(4β→8)-epigallocatechin-(4β→8)-catechin (compound 7), has been isolated from the air-dried leaves of the title plant, in addition to catechin, epigallocatechin, gallocatechin, and three dimeric proanthocyanidins. The dimeric prodelphinidin epigallocatechin-(4β→8)-epigallocatechin (compound 6) showed the strongest DPPH radical scavenging activity, with IC 50 1.7 μg/mL, 10 times more active than the positive control, BHT (IC 50 17.3 µg/mL), followed by the new trimeric proanthocyanidin epigallocatechin-(4β→8)epigallocatechin-(4β→8)-catechin with IC 50 2.1 µg/mL. The crude extract exhibited high DPPH radical scavenging activity with IC 50 15.5 µg/mL comparable with that of BHT. Discussion and conclusion: The results showed that all the isolated compounds from the tannin fraction exhibited potent free radical scavenging activities, which were higher than that of BHT, suggesting that the condensed tannins from G. biloba leaves strongly contribute to the overall antioxidant effects.

Background and Objective: Cisplatin (CIS) is known to cause nephrotoxic effect, depression in erythrocytes (anemia), leukocytes (leukopenia) and platelets (thrombocytopenia) in a dose-dependent manners which limits its clinical use. This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba (GB) extract against hematological and pathological disorders, oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity induced by single or repeated injection cycles of cisplatin in rats. Materials and Methods: Animals were divided into six equal groups (n = 10). Negative and positive control groups (received vehicle, GB 150 mg kgG 1 , respectively), cisplatin intoxicated groups (received 24 mg kgG 1 as a single i.p. injection, or as three repeated injection cycles; each cycles consists of 4 daily low dose 2 mg kgG 1 b.wt., followed by 10 days recovery period) and GB preventive groups (received the same treatment as intoxicated groups in concomitant with daily 150 mg kgG 1 b.wt., of GB orally, started 5 days before first CIS injection). The possible ameliorative effect of GB was determined on CIS-induce alterations in Relative Kidney Weight (RKW), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, blood picture, tissue oxidative parameters, histopathologic and histo-morphometric analysis and quantification of TUNEL positive cells. Results: The study revealed significant increase in RKW, serum creatinine and BUN, renal malondialdehyde (MDA), quantitative and semi-quantitative grading of renal pathology and number of TUNEL positive cells/HPF in CIS intoxicated groups. Moreover, significant decrease was reported in renal glutathione (GSH), Hb concentration, RBCs, WBCs and platelets count in CIS intoxicated groups. Significant improvements in some of these parameters were reported with GB prior-treatment. Conclusion: Prior-treatment with GB partially attenuated the CIS induced anemia, leukocytopenia, thrombocytopenia and nephrotoxicity through its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.

This study was conducted to evaluate the possible protective effect of Ginkgo biloba (GB) against testicular damage and oxidative stress induced by acute or subchronic intoxication with cisplatin (CIS) in rats. Sixty male albino rats were classified into 6 equal groups (n = 10). Rats were treated orally with 150 mg kg b.wt. dayG 1 GB extract for 5 successive days before and 25 successive days after induction of toxicity by i.p. injection of CIS. Rats received CIS either acutely as a single injection of CIS (24 mg kgG 1 b.wt.) or sub chronically with four equal doses of CIS (6 mg kgG 1 b.wt.) once weekly. After 72 h from the last CIS injection, pathological and oxidative testicular toxicity as well as serum testosterone level and sperm indices were evaluated. Rats exposed to subchronic CIS treatment (alone or with prior GB co-treatment) displayed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in reproductive organs weight, caudal sperm count and motility, serum testosterone level and testicular GSH-PX and significant increase (p<0.05) in sperm abnormalities and testicular MDA. This reproductive toxicity was accompanied with necrotic and degenerated lesions in the seminiferous tubules. By contrast, in rats exposed to acute CIS treatment, prior treatment with GB partially ameliorated the subsequent harmful effects of CIS. In conclusion, pretreatment with GB mildly attenuated the reproductive damage induced by single CIS injection, while it failed to improve the damage induced by subchronic treatment.

Gingko biloba has been one of the most used medicinal plants all over the world in the past years. In this study, our group has studied the effect of a hydroethanolic extract from the aerial parts of this plant on the growth and morphological differentiation of trypanosomatids. Herpetomonas samuelpessoai and Herpetomonas sp were used in this study. The extract was obtained in a Soxhlet apparatus (50 o C, 2 hours). This extract was aseptically added to Roitman's medium in different concentrations (4, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg/ml). The growth rate was determined using a Newbauer chamber to count numbers of cells after the extract inoculation (24 and 72 hours later). Smears stained by the Panotic method was used to determine the percentages of pro, para and opisthomastigote forms. The extract inhibited Herpetomonas sp growth in concentrations higher than 20 mg/ml. H. samuelpessoai has been inhibited in doses higher than 40 mg/ml. No morphological differentiation was observed in Herpetomonas sp cell. However, morphological differentiations could be noticed in H. samuelpessoai cell using doses higher than 40 mg/ml. These alterations are probably related to the cell division process, since cells with 3 or 4 nucleus were observed. Also, cytoplasmatic expansions, representing unsuccessful process of cell division were frequently found out. Further ultrastructural analysis using a transmission electron microscope showed cells with homogeneous nucleus or the absence of it. Protozoan protein profile was also analyzed. It was possible to notice changes in both trypanosomatids used in this study. H. samuelpessoai has shown over expression and accumulation of proteins which its degradation is essential to continue the cell differentiation. Also, it is possible to suggest that this extract acts through the modulation of the genetic expression and may be harmful to human cells if not purified.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by deteriorating articular cartilage. Most patients may not get enough control of symptoms in spite of the availability of various treatment options. Because of the synergistic impact of flavonoids and ginkgolides, Ginkgo biloba (GB) has been shown to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties besides its generally safe profile. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of the Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) in patient with Knee OA . Methods: This is a randomized double blinded clinical trial conducted in a private orthopaedic clinic in Al-Najaf Government-Iraq between 1 st November 2021 to 1 st June 2022. Patients were randomized into two groups; Group A administered the standard treatment (diclofenac capsule 100 milligram sustained released with paracetamol 1 gram twice daily) with GBE capsule 120 milligram twice daily, while Group B administered the standard treatment with placebo (starch) capsule only. The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) was performed to assess the efficacy of the GBE in patient with Knee OA for eight weeks.Results: 60 patients (Group A: mean age 54.2±8.6, male 24.24%, female 75.76%; Group B: mean age 58.0±8.4, male 22.22%, female 77.78%) successfully completed the eight weeks follow up. Pain, symptoms, sport, activity of daily living (ADL) scores showed significant improvement in Group A from the first two weeks after treatment with GB in comparison with group B. however, scores of quality of life (QOL) were not significantly improved in two group comparison at each assessment week. Only 10 patients (group A:8, 1 2 version 2 (revision)

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by deteriorating articular cartilage. Most patients may not get enough control of symptoms in spite of the availability of various treatment options. Because of the synergistic impact of flavonoids and ginkgolides, Ginkgo biloba (GB) has been shown to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties besides its generally safe profile. This study aims to assess the efficacy of the Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) in patient with Knee OA. Methods: This is a randomized double blinded clinical trial conducted in a private orthopaedic clinic in Al-Najaf Government-Iraq. Patients were randomized into two groups; Group A administered the standard treatment (diclofenac capsule 100 milligram sustained released with paracetamol 1 gram twice daily) with GBE 120 milligram twice daily, while Group B administered the standard treatment with placebo (starch) capsule only. The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (...

Aims: This study was conducted to investigate how to maximize the production of flavonoids from ginkgo leaves callus or cell suspension cultures. Study Design: The experiment was implemented in a completely randomized design with 3 replicates. The study was carried out at the

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents the most prevalent form of dementia, characterized by memory loss, and is a complex, progressive neurodegenerative condition. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the impact of aerobic interval training (AIT) combined with Ginkgo biloba (GB) supplementation on passive avoidance memory function and the expression of the glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) gene in rats afflicted with AD. Methods: A total of forty-four male Wistar rats, each weighing approximately 250 ± 20 g, were maintained in a controlled environment at a specified temperature. Over 8 weeks (5 days per week), they underwent AIT and received GB supplements at a dosage of 100 mg/kg. The rats were randomly assigned into six groups: Healthy control (HC) with 7 rats, AD control (AC) with 8 rats, amyloid-β (Aβ) injection plus GB supplement (Aβ + GB) with 8 rats, Aβ injection plus GB supplement plus AIT (Aβ + GB + AIT) with 8 rats, Aβ injection plus AIT (Aβ + AIT) with 8 rats, and sham surgery (SS) with 5 rats. The shuttlebox apparatus was utilized to assess the effect of Aβ on passive avoidance memory and to confirm disease induction. GDNF gene expression was measured using the qRT-PCR method. Results: The study found significant improvements in passive avoidance memory in the Aβ + AIT and Aβ + GB + AIT groups compared to the AC group after 8 weeks of AIT and GB supplementation (P = 0.02 and P = 0.000, respectively). Long-term memory performance was notably enhanced in the Aβ + GB + AIT group (P = 0.000). Additionally, GDNF expression significantly increased in the Aβ + GB + AIT and Aβ + GB groups in comparison to the AC group (P = 0.000 and P = 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: A synergistic effect of AIT and GB supplementation was observed, leading to an increase in GDNF gene expression and improvements in both passive avoidance memory and long-term memory in male rats with AD.

Objective: To determine whether Ginkgo biloba extract (ginkgo) improves cognitive function in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Persons with MS from the Seattle and Portland VA clinics and adjacent communities who scored 1 SD or more below the mean on one of 4 neuropsychological tests (Stroop Test,

Background: Details of the extraction and purification procedure can have a profound impact on the composition of plant-derived extracts, and thus on their efficacy and safety. So far, studies with head-to-head comparison of the pharmacology of Ginkgo extracts rendered by different procedures have been rare. The objective of this study was to explore whether Ginkgo biloba L. (Ginkgoaceae) leaf extract medications of various sources protect against amyloid beta toxicity on primary mouse cortex neurons growing on microelectrode arrays, and whether the effects differ between different Ginkgo extracts. Design: Our brain-on-chip platform integrates microelectrode array data recorded on neuronal tissue cultures from embryonic mouse cortex. Amyloid beta 42 (Aβ42) and various Ginkgo extract preparations were added to the networks in vitro before evaluation of electrophysiological parameters by multi-parametric analysis. A Multivariate data analysis, called Effect Score, was designed to compare effects between different products. The results show that Ginkgo extracts protected against Aβ42-induced electrophysiological alterations. Different Ginkgo extracts exhibited different effects. Of note, the reference Ginkgo biloba L. (Ginkgoaceae) leaf medication Tebonin had the most pronounced rescuing effect. Here, we show for the first time a side-by-side analysis of a large number of Ginkgo medications in a relevant in vitro system modeling early functional effects induced by amyloid beta peptides on neuronal transmission and connectivity. Ginkgo biloba L. (Ginkgoaceae) leaf extract from different manufactures exhibit differential functional effects in this neural network model. This in-depth analysis of functional phenotypes of neurons cultured on MEAs chips allows identifying optimal plant extract formulations protecting against toxin-induced functional effects in vitro.

Background: Details of the extraction and purification procedure can have a profound impact on the composition of plant-derived extracts, and thus on their efficacy and safety. So far, studies with head-to-head comparison of the pharmacology of Ginkgo extracts rendered by different procedures have been rare. The objective of this study was to explore whether Ginkgo biloba L. (Ginkgoaceae) leaf extract medications of various sources protect against amyloid beta toxicity on primary mouse cortex neurons growing on microelectrode arrays, and whether the effects differ between different Ginkgo extracts. Design: Our brain-on-chip platform integrates microelectrode array data recorded on neuronal tissue cultures from embryonic mouse cortex. Amyloid beta 42 (Aβ42) and various Ginkgo extract preparations were added to the networks in vitro before evaluation of electrophysiological parameters by multi-parametric analysis. A Multivariate data analysis, called Effect Score, was designed to compare effects between different products. The results show that Ginkgo extracts protected against Aβ42-induced electrophysiological alterations. Different Ginkgo extracts exhibited different effects. Of note, the reference Ginkgo biloba L. (Ginkgoaceae) leaf medication Tebonin had the most pronounced rescuing effect. Here, we show for the first time a side-by-side analysis of a large number of Ginkgo medications in a relevant in vitro system modeling early functional effects induced by amyloid beta peptides on neuronal transmission and connectivity. Ginkgo biloba L. (Ginkgoaceae) leaf extract from different manufactures exhibit differential functional effects in this neural network model. This in-depth analysis of functional phenotypes of neurons cultured on MEAs chips allows identifying optimal plant extract formulations protecting against toxin-induced functional effects in vitro.

Detailed metabolite profiling of crude plant extracts, mandatory for both quality control and metabolomics purposes, requires high-resolution separation and sensitive detection with a reasonable sample throughput. In this respect, the use of ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) working at high temperature (HT) and coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) was evaluated in the present study in terms of achievable peak capacities for given analysis times. Prior to the analysis of complex mixtures, the effects of TOF-MS detection on peak capacity were evaluated, and a loss of 15-30% compared to UV was observed due to the additional band broadening generated by this detector. Extracts from a model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and from a widely used phytochemical preparation Ginkgo biloba, as well as a standard mixture of representative natural products (NPs), have been analyzed. As expected from the theory, the increase in mobile phase temperature of up to 90 • C for the profiling of extracts containing metabolites spread over a large polarity range (e.g., Arabidopsis thaliana) generated similar peak capacities to those obtained at room temperature, but with a 2-to 3-fold reduction in analysis time, demonstrating the power of this approach for such applications. On the other hand, for the analysis of more polar extracts (e.g., Ginkgo biloba), the use of higher temperature was not beneficial, as it induced a significant decrease in retention, and thus resolving power, because of the increase in elution strength. The use of HT-UHPLC-TOF-MS raised the question of NP stability under high temperature conditions. This work demonstrated that no apparent degradation was evidenced at high temperature for a representative mixture of NPs and also for the different metabolites detected in the selected plant extracts.

In the present communication, total seventeen saponin molecules were collected and subjected to quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analyses. 2D QSAR model is developed by using multiple linear regression method against 4 different cell lines. QSAR model was generated by using training set of 11 and test set of 6 molecules having correlation coefficient (r 2 ), significant cross validated correlation coefficient (q 2 ) and F-test (For statistical significance) is as given below (A-549: r 2 -0.9281, q 2 -0.8691, F-test-51.6079), (SK-OV-3: r 2 -0.9554, q 2 -0.9184, F-test-85.7357), (SK-MEL-2: r 2 -0.9160, q 2 -0.8285, F-test-43.6084), (HCT15: r 2 -0.9203, q 2 -0.8357, F-test-46.1887). In this QSAR study Alignment independent descriptors such as T_2_C_7, T_O_O_5 and physicochemical descriptors like Chain path count such as 6 chain count and Chi chain such as Chi 6 chain were most responsible descriptors for anticancer activity.

Objectives: The purpose of present study was intended to evaluate hepatoprotective effects of traditional multicomponent formulation Gurgum13 on carbon tetrachloride (CCI4) induced liver injury model in rats. Methods: Chronic toxic liver injury was induced experimentally by intraperitoneal injection (IP) of 1.0 ml/kg body weight of 10% carbon tetrachloride (CCI4) three times per week for duration of three months in rats. A total of five groups of animals with 15 rats in each were used for the experiment. Group 1 was as a normal control (intact). Group 2 served as a control group received CCI4 1.0 ml/kg IP three times a week for 3 months. Group 3, 4 and 5 were as the treatment groups received CCI4 1 ml/kg IP and administered traditional multicomponent formulation Gurgum-13 as a test drug (100 mg/kg) for 3 months daily. Milk thistle (50 mg/kg) and Lilicoaguliant (LLC) (100 mg/kg) were given daily for 3 months as a reference drug respectively. The activity of Gurgum-13 formulation and ...

Objective: To analyze dietary supplement usage data from 494 older adults, aged 65 to 101 years. Setting: Community dwellers living independently of institutionalized care. Design: All dietary supplements, including botanicals, were recorded to aid in assessing the health status of older adults. Participants: 1) 224 individuals enrolled in a study that follows the health of persons 85 years and older (oldest-old) in Klamath County, a non-metropolitan area in southern Oregon; 2) 134 participants of oldest-old age living in the metropolitan Portland area, enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of GBE biloba extract (GBE) for dementia prevention; and 3) 136 participants, ages 65-85 years (young-old), also of the Portland area, enrolled in a study of the effects of yoga and exercise on cognition. Measurements: Data verified from labels, not from self-report. Results: Of the participants, 70.6% used dietary supplements. Women took supplements more often than men, and usage decreased with age. A greater percentage, 67.4%, of the non-metropolitan oldest-old took supplements, compared to 56.7% of the metropolitan oldest-old. The greatest usage, 89.7%, was in the metropolitan young-olds. All of these percentages exceed those for comparable age groups in national representative surveys. Conclusions: Dietary supplement usage by older adults in these studies in Oregon exceeded that in other reports and may reflect high interest in complementary and alternative medicine. This report confirms the results of other studies showing that elderly adults, particularly women, use dietary supplements more than other segments of the US population. Researchers and clinicians should be aware of this pattern and potential conflicts with research design or treatment regimen intended for older people.

Altsheymer xəstəliyi qocalma ilə əlaqəli neyrodegenerativ xəstəlikdir və demansın ən çox rast gəlinən formasıdır. Bu xəstəlik ümumi demans hallarının 60-80 faizini təşkil edir. Altsheymer xəstəliyi sosial təcridin ən ümumi səbəblərindən biridir. Xəstəliyin müalicə inin məqsədləri xəstəliyin gedişatını yavaşlatmaq, sabitləşdirmək, zehni və davranış pozuntuları əlamətlərini azaltmaq və bununla da həyat keyfiyyətini yaxşılaşdırmaqdır. Bu məqsədlə Altsheymer xəstəliyinin müalicəsində təbii bioaktiv maddələrin istifadə olunması daim gündəmdə olmuşdur. Ginkgo Biloba (GB) ekstraktı isə antioksidant və antiinflamatuar təsirləri ilə idrak qabiliyyətinin yüksəldilməsində olduqca effektivdir. Apardığımız tədqiqat yaddaş və orientasiyanın bərpasını optimallaşdıran təbii bioaktiv birləşmə olan GB-nin Altsheymer xəstəliyinin inkişafının qarşısının alınmasına və neyrodegenerativ proseslərə qarşı istifadəsinin mümkünlüyünün yoxlanılmasına yönəlib. Bunun üçün Altsheymer xəstəliyinin analoqu yaradılmış və xəstəliyin müalicəsi üçün GB ekstraktı istifadə olunmuşdur.

Warfarin, a widely prescribed oral anticoagulant, is known for its narrow therapeutic index and significant potential for drug-herb interactions. This study investigates the pharmacokinetic interactions between warfarin and commonly used over-the-counter (OTC) herbal supplements such as Ginkgo biloba, St. John's Wort, and garlic extract in a controlled clinical setting. A randomized, crossover design was used to assess changes in warfarin plasma concentrations and International Normalized Ratio (INR) after co-administration of each supplement. Significant alterations were observed in INR and plasma warfarin levels, particularly with St. John's Wort and Ginkgo biloba, suggesting potential clinical implications for anticoagulation therapy management. These findings underscore the necessity for rigorous patient education and clinician awareness of herbal supplement use during warfarin therapy.

Ginkgo biloba is the only extant member of the order Ginkgoales. Fossils similar to this species extend back to the Middle Jurassic approximately 170 million years ago. Ginkgo trees are native to deciduous forests in China but are cultivated throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. We present the whole genome sequence of this species. Illumina sequencing was performed on a leaf tissue sample from a single cultivated plant. The reads were assembled using a de novo method followed by a series of references from related species for finishing. The raw and assembled data is publicly available via Genbank: Sequence Read Archive (SRR22349630) and Genome Assembly (JANKJI000000000).

Insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus are major risk factors for Alzheimer&#39;s disease (AD), and studies with transgenic mouse models of AD have provided supportive evidence with some controversies. To overcome potential artifacts derived from transgenes, we used a knock‐in mouse model, AppNL−F/NL−F, which accumulates Aβ plaques from 6 months of age and shows mild cognitive impairment at 18 months of age, without the overproduction of APP. In the present study, 6‐month‐old male AppNL−F/NL−F and wild‐type mice were fed a regular or high‐fat diet (HFD) for 12 months. HFD treatment caused obesity and impaired glucose tolerance (i.e., T2DM conditions) in both wild‐type and AppNL−F/NL−F mice, but only the latter animals exhibited an impaired cognitive function accompanied by marked increases in both Aβ deposition and microgliosis as well as insulin resistance in the hippocampus. Furthermore, HFD‐fed AppNL−F/NL−F mice exhibited a significant decrease in volume of the granule cell lay...

Plant tissue culture plays an extremely important role in contemporary plant biotechnology due to its potential for mass production of enhanced crop varieties and high yield of significant secondary metabolites. Utilizing biotic and abiotic elements, several attempts have been made to increase the efficiency and output of plant tissue culture. Due to its efficacy in microbial cleaning and the increase of secondary metabolites, the use of nanoparticles as elicitors has recently attracted interest on a global scale. Nanoparticles are objects with a nanometric dimension; they have distinct physico-chemical characteristics. Among all nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are well-known for their antibacterial and hormetic properties, which, in the right doses, improved plant biomass and promoted the accumulation of secondary metabolites. The assessment of the application of nanotechnology to plant tissue culture is the main objective of this review. The emphasis is placed mostly on the augmentation of secondary metabolites, their impacts on plant development and biomass accumulation, as well as their potential mechanisms of action.

Climate change may strongly modify the habitat conditions for many woody plant species. Some species could disappear from their natural habitats and become endangered, while others could adapt well to the changed environmental conditions and continue to survive successfully or even proliferate more easily. A similar process can occur within the artificial urban environment as the hitherto popularly planted urban trees may suffer from the extremities of the urban climate. However, among the planted taxa, there are species that spread spontaneously and appear as weeds in extensively managed gardens. In our study, we evaluated the native and non-native species involved in spontaneous spreading in the institutional garden of Buda Arboretum (Budapest) during the COVID-19 period in 2020–2021 when entry was prohibited, and maintenance went on in a restricted, minimal level. We investigated the correlation between spontaneously settling and planted individuals, and then performed multivaria...

We have investigated the biochemical and cell biological basis of the reported bene®ciary effects of the leaf extracts of the plant Ginkgo biloba, which has been used as a possible ophthalmic drug. The antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-apoptotic and cytoprotective properties of the standardized extract called EGb761 were assayed. Chemical stresses were induced in cells using alloxan or dexamethasone, and the effect of EGb761 on them was studied using the MTT and TUNEL assays. Its ability to modulate the activities of some antioxidant enzymes was tested in vitro. In addition, cataract was induced in rats through selenite injection, and the effect of EGb761 administration on the progression of cataract was studied using slit lamp examination. Ginkgo biloba was found to be an excellent antioxidant. It readily scavenges reactive oxygen and nitrogen radicals and inhibits oxidative modi®cations that occur to proteins in vitro. It enters intact cells and protects them from alloxan-mediated and light-mediated stress, and the nuclear DNA from single strand breaks. It also effectively inhibits chemically induced apoptosis. It does not modulate the activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, nor does it have any signi®cant antimicrobial activity. Unlike some other plant extracts, it is not phototoxic. In experiments wherein selenite cataract was induced in laboratory rats, treatment with the extract signi®cantly retards the progression of lens opaci®cation in vivo. Ginkgo biloba's inherent antioxidant, antiapoptotic and cytoprotective action and potential anticataract ability appear to be some of the factors responsible for its bene®cial effects.

Objectives: Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) is a plant extract obtained from the leaves of the G. biloba tree. The aim of this study was to assess the histological and radiological effects of G. biloba extract on fracture healing in an experimental fracture model using rat femurs. Methods: Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats (weight: 195-252 g; age: 20 weeks) were used in the study. The rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=8). A transverse fracture was made in the middle of the right femur of each rat and fixed with a Kirschner wire. The G. biloba groups received 60 mg/ kg oral G. biloba extract once daily. No medication was given to the control groups. On days 7, 21 and 35, both sets of femurs were evaluated radiologically and histopathologically. Results: Histological evaluation revealed that the G. biloba groups had significant differences at 21 and 35 days (p<0.05). The G. biloba group showed a significant difference in terms of bone formation on day 21 when compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study indicated that the use of G. biloba extract accelerated fracture healing. Both radiological and histological differences were detected, but the histological differences were more remarkable. Level of Evidence I, High Quality Randomized Trial.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) is one of the most distinctive plants, characterized by excellent resistance to various environmental conditions. It is used as an ornamental plant and is recognized as a medicinal plant in both traditional and Western medicine. Its bioactive potential is associated with the presence of flavonoids and terpene trilactones, but many other compounds may also have synergistic effects. Flavonoid dimers—biflavonoids—are important constituents of ginkgophytopharmaceuticals. Currently, the presence of 13 biflavonoids has been reported in ginkgo, of which amentoflavone, bilobetin, sciadopitysin, ginkgetin and isoginkgetin are the most common. Their role in plants remains unknown, but their bioactivity and potential role in the management of human health are better investigated. In this review, we have provided an overview of the chemistry, diversity and biological factors that influence the presence of biflavonoids in ginkgo, as well as their bioactive and health-re...

Background: Ginkgo biloba is a common symptomatic treatment for cognitive impairment, although data on its efficacy are controversial. Objective: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of standardized Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761® (Tanakan®) for the improvements of cognitive functions over 24 months in a local cohort of patients diagnosed with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Methods: This multicentre non-interventional study included 500 eligible patients with a MCI treated with 120 mg/day standardized Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761® (Tanakan®). Patients were evaluated using several scales for assessment of cognition, memory, activities of daily living, and depression (MMSE, FAQ, CGI, HAM-D) at baseline and every 6 months after that for a 24-month period. The median change in MMSE at the 24-month follow-up was the primary outcome of the study. Results: A statistically significant increase of 2 points in the median MMSE score was obtained. In patients...

† Background and Aims The closely related NAC family genes NO APICAL MERISTEM (NAM) and CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON3 (CUC3) regulate the formation of boundaries within and between plant organs. NAM is post-transcriptionally regulated by miR164, whereas CUC3 is not. To gain insight into the evolution of NAM and CUC3 in the angiosperms, we analysed orthologous genes in early-diverging ANA-grade angiosperms and gymnosperms. † Methods We obtained NAM-and CUC3-like sequences from diverse angiosperms and gymnosperms by a combination of reverse transcriptase PCR, cDNA library screening and database searching, and then investigated their phylogenetic relationships by performing maximum-likelihood reconstructions. We also studied the spatial expression patterns of NAM, CUC3 and MIR164 orthologues in female reproductive tissues of Amborella trichopoda, the probable sister to all other flowering plants. † Key Results Separate NAM and CUC3 orthologues were found in early-diverging angiosperms, but not in gymnosperms, which contained putative orthologues of the entire NAM + CUC3 clade that possessed sites of regulation by miR164. Multiple paralogues of NAM or CUC3 genes were noted in certain taxa, including Brassicaceae. Expression of NAM, CUC3 and MIR164 orthologues from Am. trichopoda was found to co-localize in ovules at the developmental boundary between the chalaza and nucellus. † Conclusions The NAM and CUC3 lineages were generated by duplication, and CUC3 was subsequently lost regulation by miR164, prior to the last common ancestor of the extant angiosperms. However, the paralogous NAM clade genes CUC1 and CUC2 were generated by a more recent duplication, near the base of Brassicaceae. The function of NAM and CUC3 in defining a developmental boundary in the ovule appears to have been conserved since the last common ancestor of the flowering plants, as does the post-transcriptional regulation in ovule tissues of NAM by miR164.

Objectives: Due to enhanced life expectancy and an increasing elderly population, sexual and physical problems related to menopause are essential from the health point of view. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Ginkgo biloba tablet and aromatherapy inhaler combination (lavender, fennel and geranium and rose) in decrement of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: This double blind randomized clinical trial was performed on 180 postmenopausal women with age range of 45-55 years referring to health care centers in Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The participants were randomly divided into 3 groups of 60 subjects: Ginkgo biloba tablet and placebo aroma solution users, aroma solution with placebo Ginkgo biloba users, and placebo aroma with placebo Ginkgo biloba users who received 40 mg Ginkgo biloba either in tablet or placebo and 2-3 drops of aroma solution or placebo on the skin, 3 times a day for 6 weeks. The tool for collecting data was a questionnaire encompassed questions on the socio-demographical features and female sexual function index (FSFI). The primary outcome was the sexual function mean score after intervention in the research groups. The analysis was conducted according to intention-to-treat. The mean (SD) scores of total sexual function at baseline in aromatherapy, Ginkgo biloba and placebo groups were 18.4 (5.4), 17.5 (6.8) and 15.8 (5.7) that enhanced to 22.9 (3.3), 21.6 (4.5) and 17.2 (4.2) in the mentioned groups respectively after intervention. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) test indicated significant discrepancy after intervention in total (P < 0.001) and all sub-domains scores of sexual function (P < 0.003) with the exception of pain in Ginkgo biloba and aromatherapy groups compared to placebo with controlling of confounding factors. Conclusion: Aromatherapy inhaler combination and Ginkgo biloba tablet improved sexual function in postmenopausal women.

Objective To determine if a ginkgo biloba-containing supplement improves cognitive function and quality of life, alters primary hemostasis, and is safe in healthy, cognitively intact older adults. Design Four-month, randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled parallel design. Subjects/setting Ninety men and women (age range 65 to 84 years) were recruited to a university clinic. Eligibility included those without dementia or depression, not taking psychoactive medications or medications or supplements that alter hemostasis. Intervention Ninety subjects were randomly assigned to placebo or a ginkgo biloba-based supplement containing 160 mg ginkgo biloba, 68 mg gotu kola, and 180 mg decosahexaenoic acid per day for 4 months. Main outcome measures Assessments included: six standardized cognitive function tests, the SF-36 Quality of Life questionnaire, the Platelet Function Analyzer-100 (Dade Behring, Eschbom, Germany), and the monitoring of adverse events. Statistical analyses Baseline characteristics and study hypotheses were tested using analysis of covariance. Tests were two-tailed with a 0.05 significance level. Results Seventy-eight subjects (87%) completed both baseline and 4-month testing (nϭ36 in placebo group, nϭ42 in ginkgo biloba group). At baseline, the participants' cognitive function was above average. One of six cognitive tests indicated significant protocol differences at 4 months (Pϭ0.03), favoring the placebo. There were no significant differences in quality of life, platelet function, or adverse events. Conclusions These finding do not support the use of a ginkgo biloba-containing supplement for improving cognitive function or quality of life in cognitively intact, older, healthy adults. However, high baseline scores may have contributed to the null findings. The ginkgo biloba product seems safe and did not alter platelet function, though additional studies are needed to evaluate the interaction of varying doses of ginkgo biloba and ginkgo biloba-containing supplements with medications and supplements that alter hemostasis.