Ginkgo biloba extract demonstrates neuroprotective effects on retinal ganglion cells against hypoxic injury

In this study, South Korean researchers investigated the neuroprotective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) against hypoxic injury to retinal ganglion cells (RGC) in vitro and in vivo. Their findings were published in the Journal of Medicinal Food.

• Hypoxia-induced oxidative stress and disturbed microvascular circulation are implicated in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.
• But reports suggest that GBE can reduce oxidative stress and treat impaired vascular circulation.
• To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of GBE, the researchers first induced oxidative stress in rat RGC using hydrogen peroxide.
• They then treated the RGC with either a standardized GBE (EGb 761) or a vehicle.
• In vivo, the researchers induced hypoxic optic nerve injury in rats by using a microserrefine clip with an applicator to clamp the animals’ optic nerves.
• They then gave the rats various concentrations of EGb 761 via intraperitoneal injection and measured RGC density to estimate cell survival.
• The researchers found that treatment with 1 or 5?mcg/mL EGb 761 significantly increased the survival of RGC after oxidative stress in vitro.
• In vivo, treatment with 100?mg/kg or 250?mg/kg EGb 761 also significantly increased RGC density.

Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that GBE has neuroprotective effects against hypoxic injury that can lead to glaucoma.

Journal Reference:

Cho HK, Kim S, Lee EJ, Kee C. NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF GINKGO BILOBA EXTRACT AGAINST HYPOXIC RETINAL GANGLION CELL DEGENERATION IN VITRO AND IN VIVO. Journal of Medicinal Food. 06 August 2019;22(8):771–778. DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2018.4350