Cardioprotective and Anti-oxidant Effects of the Terpenoid Constituents ofGinkgo bilobaExtract (EGb 761)

Hemodynamic and electron spin resonance analyses were used to assess thein vivoandin vitrocardioprotective and antioxidant effects of therapeutically relevant doses ofGinkgo bilobaextract (EGb 761) and its terpenoid constituents (ginkgolides A and B, bilobalide) in the rat. Significant anti-ischemic effects, indicating improved myocardial functional recovery, were observed after repeated (15-day) oral treatments with both EGb 761 (60 mg/kg/day) and ginkgolide A (4 mg/kg/day), as compared to placebo.In vitropre- and post-ischemic perfusion of hearts in the presence of the ginkgolides A and B (both at 0.05μg/ml) or bilobalide (0.15μg/ml), but not EGb 761 (5μg/ml), significantly improved all hemodynamic parameters. Post-ischemic levels of the 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrrolineN-oxide (DMPO)/hydroxyl radical spin-adduct (DMPO-OH) in coronary effluents were significantly decreased afterin vivooral treatments or afterin vitroperfusion with EGb 761 or the terpenes, the most effective compound being ginkgolide A. As the presence of the terpenes did not influence the formation of the superoxide/DMPO adduct or DMPO-OH in acellular tests with superoxide and hydroxyl radical generators, their cardioprotective effects appear to involve an inhibition of free radical formation rather than direct free radical scavenging.