Ginkgo biloba affords dose-dependent protection against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced parkinsonism in rats: neurobehavioural, neurochemical and immunohistochemical evidences

Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb), a potent antioxidant and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor, was evaluated for its anti-parkinsonian effects in a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rat model of the disease. Rats were treated with 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg EGb for 3 weeks. On day 21, 2 microL 6-OHDA (10 microg in 0.1% ascorbic acid saline) was injected into the right striatum, while the sham-operated group received 2 microL of vehicle. Three weeks after 6-OHDA injection, rats were tested for rotational behaviour, locomotor activity, and muscular coordination. After 6 weeks, they were killed to estimate the generation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) content, to measure activities of glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and to quantify catecholamines, dopamine (DA) D2 receptor binding, and tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH-IR) fibre density. The increase in drug-induced rotations and deficits in locomotor activity and muscular coordination due to 6-OHDA injections were significantly and dose-dependently restored by EGb. The lesion was followed by an increased generation of TBARS and significant depletion of GSH content in substantia nigra, which was gradually restored with EGb treatment. EGb also dose-dependently restored the activities of glutathione-dependent enzymes, catalase, and SOD in striatum, which had reduced significantly by lesioning. A significant decrease in the level of DA and its metabolites and an increase in the number of dopaminergic D2 receptors in striatum were observed after 6-OHDA injection, both of which were significantly recovered following EGb treatment. Finally, all of these results were exhibited by an increase in the density of TH-IR fibers in the ipsilateral substantia nigra of the lesioned group following treatment with EGb; the lesioning had induced almost a complete loss of TH-IR fibers. Considering our behavioural studies, biochemical analysis, and immunohistochemical observation, we conclude that EGb can be used as a therapeutic approach to check the neuronal loss following parkinsonism.     

Cytoskeleton in Pollen and Pollen Tubes of Ginkgo biloba L.

The distribution of F-actin and microtubules was investigated in pollen and pollen tubes of Ginkgo biloba L. using a confocal laser scanning microscope after fluorescence and immunofluorescence labeling. A dense F-actin network was found in hydrated Ginkgo pollen. When Ginkgo pollen was germinating,F-actin mesh was found under the plasma membrane from which the pollen tube would emerge. After pollen germination, F-actin bundles were distributed axially in long pollen tubes of G. biloba. Thick F-actin bundles and network were found in the tip of the Ginkgo pollen tube, which is opposite to the results reported for the pollen tubes of some angiosperms and conifers. In addition, a few circular F-actin bundles were found in Ginkgo pollen tubes. Using immunofluorescence labeling, a dense microtubule network was found in hydrated Ginkgo pollen under confocal microscope. In the Ginkgo pollen tube, the microtubules were distributed along the longitudinal axis and extended to the tip. These results suggest that the cytoskeleton may have an essential role in the germination of Ginkgo pollen and tube growth.     

临沂生生园复干银杏生长特性

产生复干是银杏个体发育过程中一个普遍现象。本研究以临沂生生园全国最大复干银杏群落为对象,采用每木检尺的方式对园内复干银杏进行调查。结果显示,生生园内银杏共385株,雌株379株,占98.41%;平均树高20.9m,总胸径0.93m,母干胸径0.33m,冠径在5.0-15.0m范围内,枝下高6.3m;17株无复干,复干率为98.58%,每株复干数平均为4.6个,最大复干高为12.5m,胸径0.18m,复干与母干距离为0.61m,复干与母干夹角为10.5?;34株无萌蘖,萌蘖平均株数为38株,萌蘖高1.11m,萌蘖与母干最大距离0.73m。该片银杏林原桩有240年历史,现存复干银杏系从原桩萌发形成,树龄53年。本文对生生园复干银杏的起源、性别比例、复干与银杏适应性的关系等进行了探讨。     

Mitochondria,oxidative stress and aging

In the eighties, Miquel and Fleming suggested that mitochondria play a key role in cellular aging. Mitochondria, and specially mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), are major targets of free radical attack. At present, it is well established that mitochondrial deficits accumulate upon aging due to oxidative damage. Thus, oxidative lesions to mtDNA accumulate with age in human and rodent tissues. Furthermore, levels of oxidative damage to mtDNA are several times higher than those of nuclear DNA. Mitochondrial size increases whereas mitochondrial membrane potential decreases with age in brain and liver.

Recently, we have shown that treatment with certain antioxidants, such as sulphur-containing antioxidants, vitamins C and E or the Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761, protects against the age-associated oxidative damage to mtDNA and oxidation of mitochondrial glutathione. Moreover, the extract EGb 761 also prevents changes in mitochondrial morphology and function associated with aging of the brain and liver. Thus, mitochondrial aging may be prevented by antioxidants. Furthermore, late onset administration of certain antioxidants is also able to prevent the impairment in physiological performance, particularly motor co-ordination, that occurs upon aging.     

过敏性紫癜患者银杏达莫注射液治疗前后血管内皮功能、凝血功能的变化及相关性研究

摘要 目的：探讨过敏性紫癜（HSP）患者银杏达莫注射液治疗前后血管内皮功能、凝血功能的变化,并分析HSP患者血管内皮功能与凝血功能的相关性。方法：选择2018年2月至2020年2月期间我院收治的HSP患者93例,按照随机数字表法将患者分为对照组（n=46）和观察组（n=47）,其中对照组给予糖皮质激素治疗,观察组给予银杏达莫注射液治疗,对比两组疗效、血管内皮功能、凝血功能的变化及紫癜性肾炎的发生率,并分析HSP患者血管内皮功能与凝血功能的相关性。结果：观察组治疗2周后的总有效率95.74%（45/47）,较对照组的76.09%（35/46）升高（P<0.05）。两组患者治疗2周后血清血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）、内皮素-1（ET-1）水平均降低,且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组患者治疗2周后纤维蛋白原（FIB）、D-二聚体（D-D）、血小板计数（PLT）均降低,且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）,凝血酶原时间（PT）、活化部分凝血活酶时间（APTT）、凝血酶时间（TT）均升高,且观察组高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组紫癜性肾炎发生率对比无统计学差异（P>0.05）。观察组患者中VEGF、ET-1均与FIB、D-D、PLT呈正相关,而与PT、APPT、TT呈负相关（P<0.05）。结论：HSP的发病过程中存在血管内皮细胞损伤及血液高凝状态,采用银杏达莫注射液治疗HSP患者,疗效显著,可有效改善患者血管内皮功能、凝血功能,且血管内皮功能与凝血功能存在一定的相关性。     

银杏叶提取物注射液联合地塞米松对突发性耳聋患者血液流变学、内皮功能及外周血T淋巴细胞亚群的影响

摘要 目的：探讨银杏叶提取物注射液联合地塞米松对突发性耳聋患者内皮功能、血液流变学及外周血T淋巴细胞亚群的影响。方法：选取2018年1月到2019年12月我院收治的100例突发性耳聋患者,将纳入病例依照随机数字表法分为对照组（n=50,给予鼓室注射地塞米松治疗）和观察组（n=50,对照组基础上静脉滴注银杏叶提取物注射液）,两组疗程均为10 d。对比两组疗效、血液流变学、内皮功能、外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、纯音听阈值及不良反应。结果：观察组治疗10 d后的临床总有效率为96.00%,高于对照组的82.00%（P<0.05）。观察组治疗10 d后纯音听阈值明显较对照组小（P<0.05）。观察组治疗10 d后纤维蛋白原、全血高切黏度、全血低切黏度低于对照组（P<0.05）。观察组治疗10 d后可溶性血管细胞间黏附分子-1 (sVCAM-1)、内皮素-1（ET-1）低于对照组（P<0.05）。观察组10 d后CD8⁺较对照组低,CD3⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺、CD4⁺较对照组高（P<0.05）。两组不良反应发生率比较无差异（P>0.05）。结论：采用银杏叶提取物注射液联合地塞米松治疗突发性耳聋患者,可有效改善内皮功能和血液流变学,提高机体免疫功能,效果确切,安全性佳。     

Ginkgo biloba prevents transient global ischemia-induced delayed hippocampal neuronal death through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanism

We have previously reported neuroprotective properties of Ginkgo biloba/EGb 761® (EGb 761) in transient and permanent mouse models of brain ischemia. In a quest to extend our studies on EGb 761 and its constituents further, we used a model of transient global ischemia induced delayed hippocampal neuronal death and inflammation. Mice pretreated with different test drugs for 7 days were subjected to 8-min bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (tBCCAO) at day 8. After 7 days of reperfusion, mice brains were dissected out for TUNEL assay and immunohistochemistry. In situ detection of fragmented DNA (TUNEL staining) showed that out of all test drugs, only EGb 761 (13.6% ± 3.2) pretreatment protected neurons in the hippocampus against global ischemia (vs. vehicle, 85.1% ± 9.9; p < 0.05). Immunofluorescence-based studies demonstrated that pretreatment with EGb 761 upregulated the expression levels of heme oxygenase 1 (HO1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as compared to the vehicle group. In addition, increased number of activated astrocytes and microglia in the vehicle group was observed to be significantly lower in the EGb 761 pretreated group. Together, these results suggest that EGb 761 is a multifunctional neuroprotective agent, and the protection is in part associated with activation of the HO1/Nrf2 pathway, upregulation of VEGF and downregulation of inflammatory mediators such as astrocytes and microglia.     

Purification and Some Properties of β-1, 3-Glucanase of Suspension-cultured Tobacco Cells

A laminaran-hydrolyzing enzyme was purified from the homogenate of suspension-cultured tobacco ceils by the treatment with ion-exchangers and gel filtration. The purified enzyme was homogemous in disc-electrophoresis and was a basic protein. The optimal pH of the enzyme was 5.0. The enzyme was stable at temperature below 40°C. The inhibitory effect of Hg²⁺ Cu²⁺ and Ag⁺ was observed. Investigation of the hydrolysis product revealed that the enzyme attacked laminaran endo-wise to form laminari-tetraose, -triose, -biose and glucose.     

木兰科四种植物种子油的提取及脂肪酸成分分析

采用超声波辅助提取法和微波辅助提取法同时提取白玉兰、凹叶厚朴、深山含笑和醉香含笑四种木兰科植物的种子油,种子油甲酯化后,运用气相色谱—质谱联用技术测定其脂肪酸成分。结果表明:四种植物种子油的提取率不同,白玉兰平均为27.35%、凹叶厚朴23.34%、深山含笑31.66%,醉香含笑9.27%。不同提取方法所得到的种子油脂肪酸成分和相对含量不同,但四种种子油的主要脂肪酸成分相同,包括油酸、亚油酸、硬脂酸和棕榈酸。     

银杏中种皮化学成分的分离及鉴定

银杏（Ginkgo biloba Linn．）在中国种植广泛,其产量占全世界总产量的70％[1]。中药白果仁是银杏种子去除肉质外种皮和骨质中种皮后得到的,具有敛肺定喘、止带缩尿的功效。目前,有关银杏种子的研究主要集中在具有药食同源的白果仁[2]及具有潜在应用价值的外种皮[3]上,鲜见对银杏种子中种皮的研究报道。生产中大量的银杏中种皮被废弃,因此,开展银杏中种皮的相关研究对于充分利用该类资源非常必要。鉴于此,作者对银杏中种皮的化学成分进行了系统分析,以期为其开发应用提供参考依据。