Genetic and biochemical effects of Ginkgo Biloba on somatic and germ cells of mice

ABSTRACT

Ginkgo biloba has immense folkloric significance in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and age-related dementia. The present study on the genetic and biochemical effects of Ginkgo biloba was undertaken, in view of the reports on the carcinogenic effects of the dietary supplements containing Ginkgo biloba. the cytotoxic and mutagenic potentials of its constituents and a paucity of literature on the genotoxicity. The protocol included the oral treatment of mice with different doses [100. 200 and 400 mg/kg] of Ginkgo biloba for 7 consecutive days. The following experiments were conducted [i] cytological studies on micronucleus test. [ii] cytological analysis of spermatozoa abnormalities, [iii] quantification of proteins and nucleic acids in hepatic and testicular cells and [iv] estimation of malondialdehyde [MDA] and nonprotein sulihydryl [NPSH] in hepatic and testicular cells. The results obtained in this study clearly demonstrate lack of any effect of Ginkgo biloba on the frequency of micronuclei, ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes [PCE]/normochromatic erythrocytes [NCE], spermatozoa abnormalities and hepatic concentrations of nucleic acids, while the nucleic acid levels of testicular cells were significantly depleted. The results on testicular nucleic acids failed to reflect our data on spermatozoa abnormality. The discordance might be related to the role of excurrent duct system in eliminating morphologically abnormal spermatozoa during transit from testis to vas deferens and caudac epididymis. The observation on MDA and NP-SH showed Ginkgo biloha to cause genesis of lipid peroxides. This study indicates that the changes observed in the somatic and germ cells were independent of the Ginkgo biloba-induced genesis of lipid peroxides. The observed changes of Ginkgo biloba might be related to its effect on the increase of MDA and depletion of NP-SH. In view of the observed oxidant potentials, our study warrants careful use of Ginkgo biloba