Abstract
EGb761 is a standardized extract of green Gingko biloba, which exerts protective effects against mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress. We examined whether oral administration of 0.022% or 0.045% EGb761 in the diet could impart neuroprotective effects in a transgenic mouse model (G93A) of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). EGb761 significantly improved motor performance and survival, and protected against a loss of spinal-cord anterior motor horn neurons in male G93A mutant transgenic ALS mice, but not in littermate female mutant transgene mice. While EGb761 extended survival in littermate female G93A mice, significance was not reached. EGb761, however, significantly improved weight loss in both male and female transgenic ALS mice. These findings provide evidence for a gender-specific neuroprotective effect of EGb761 in a transgenic model of ALS and suggest that EGb761 may be a potential effective treatment in patients with ALS.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / drug therapy*
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / physiopathology
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Animals
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Body Weight
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Diet
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Disease Models, Animal
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Female
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Free Radical Scavengers / metabolism
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Free Radical Scavengers / therapeutic use
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Ginkgo biloba*
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Humans
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Lumbar Vertebrae
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Male
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Mice
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Mice, Transgenic
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Neurons / metabolism
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Neuroprotective Agents / administration & dosage
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Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use*
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Phytotherapy*
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Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
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Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
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Psychomotor Performance
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Rotation
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Spinal Cord / cytology
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Spinal Cord / pathology
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Superoxide Dismutase / genetics
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Superoxide Dismutase-1
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Survival Rate
Substances
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Free Radical Scavengers
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Neuroprotective Agents
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Plant Extracts
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SOD1 protein, human
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Ginkgo biloba extract
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Sod1 protein, mouse
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Superoxide Dismutase
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Superoxide Dismutase-1