Evaluation of the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on the myenteric plexus of the small intestine of Wistar rats

• Published in: Journal of gastroenterology 2007-08, Vol.42 (8), p.624-630
• Main Authors: Schneider, Larissa Carla Lauer, Perez, Glasiella Gonsales, Banzi, Silmara Reis, Zanoni, Jacqueline Nelisis, Natali, Maria Raquel Marçal, Buttow, Nilza Cristina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aging - drug effects; Aging - metabolism; Animals; Cell Count; Cell Size - drug effects; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Follow-Up Studies; Ginkgo biloba; Ileum - growth & development; Ileum - innervation; Immunohistochemistry; Jejunum - growth & development; Jejunum - innervation; Male; Myenteric Plexus - cytology; Myenteric Plexus - drug effects; Myenteric Plexus - growth & development; Plant Extracts - administration & dosage; Rats; Rats, Wistar
• ISSN: 0944-1174; 1435-5922
• DOI: 10.1007/s00535-007-2079-z

The aging process causes a reduction in the myenteric neuronal population, related to oxidative stress, resulting in malfunctioning of the digestive tract. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the action of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761), an important antioxidant drug, on the myenteric plexus of the jejunum and ileum of rats after treatment for 120 days. Fragments of the jejunum and ileum were collected from three groups of rats: a 90-day-old group (group Y), a 210-day-old group (group A), and a 210-day-old group treated daily with the extract EGb 761 (50 mg/kg body weight) (group TA). The analysis was carried out by using the myosin-V immunohistochemical technique. Neuronal densities were estimated, and a study of the neuronal profile area of 500 neurons from each group was carried out. In the jejunum, there was a significant neuronal population reduction of 17% only in group A compared with group Y. In the ileum, there was a significant neuronal reduction of 36% in group A compared with group Y, and a significant reduction in group TA of 20%. The difference in the reduction between groups A and TA in the ileum was also significant. In the jejunum, only group A showed a significant increase in neuronal profile area, but in the ileum, there was a significant increase in both groups A and TA. A daily dose of 50 mg/kg body weight of Ginkgo biloba extract has a significant neuroprotector effect on the myenteric plexus of the ileum during the aging process in rats.