ABSTRACT
<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the effects of ginkgolide B (GB) on proliferation of bovine aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) and its related mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>After pretreating with GB or the mixture of ginkgolide A and B (GA:GB) at 37 degrees C for 0.5 h, the VSMC were treated with or without angiotensin II (Ang II) for 24 h. The proliferation of SMC was evaluated by 3H-thymidine incorporation and the cell cycle phase was measured by flow cytometry. Cytotoxicity was reflected by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity of the supernatant.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Whether or not treated with Ang II, GB and GA:GB were shown to suppress SMC proliferation in concentration-dependent fashion at concentrations ranging from 10(-9) mol.L-1 to 10(-5) mol.L-1. The inhibitory effects appeared to be related to a G1-->S block in cell cycle traverse.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The suppression of SMC proliferation by GB might not only be contributed by blockage of the PAF receptor activity.</p>