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Effects of Ginkgo biloba extracts on NMDA‐activated currents in acutely isolated hippocampal neurons of the rat
Author(s) -
Li Shao,
Luo Jie,
Wang Xi,
Guan BingCai,
Sun ChangKai
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.3235
Subject(s) - nmda receptor , ginkgo biloba , pharmacology , hippocampal formation , chemistry , neuroprotection , glutamate receptor , anesthesia , medicine , biochemistry , receptor
Abstract Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBE) have long been used as a traditional herbal medicine for treating central nervous system diseases and peripheral vascular diseases, but the underlying mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. Furthermore, traditional GBE is in the form of microsomes and only dissolves in organic solvents; its clinical applications have been greatly limited. Therefore, in the present study, nanometer GBE (nGBE) was prepared utilizing supercritical anti‐solvent (SAS) upon CO 2 ‐supercritical fluid extraction (CO 2 ‐SPF). Using whole‐cell patch clamp techniques, the effects of different preparations of GBE on N ‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA)‐activated currents (I NMDA ) from acutely isolated rat hippocampal neurons were investigated and the difference in protective potency between nGBE and mGBE evaluated. The results showed that the inward current activated by NMDA could be depressed by mGBE and nGBE. The inhibitory rates were 40% ± 17% and 64% ± 15%, and the half‐inhibition concentrations (IC 50 ) were 0.0210 ± 0.0055 and 0.0262 ± 0.0038 mg/mL, respectively. In comparison, the modulatory effect of nGBE (dissolved in extracellular solution) on NMDA‐activated current was significantly greater than that of mGBE (dissolved in DMSO) ( p < 0.05). This indicated that the modulatory effects of GBE on NMDA‐activated current may contribute to the neuroprotective effects of GBE and the modulatory effect of nGBE on NMDA‐activated current was greater than that of mGBE. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.