Effect of Ginkgo Biloba Extract on the Survival of Cultured Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE, EGb-761) on the survival of cultured human trabecular meshwork cells (HTMC). METHODS: Free radical scavenging activity of GBE was assessed with a DPPH assay. Primarily cultured HTMC were exposed to 10 and 100 microgram/ml of GBE. 0.3 mM sodium cyanide and 100 micrometer hydrogen peroxide were added to the culture medium with GBE for 48 hr. Cellular survival and nitrite production were assessed by MTT assay and Griess assay, respectively. RESULTS: GBE showed free radical scavenging activity. GBE increased the cellular survival of HTMC significantly in a dose-dependent manner under hypoxia or serum-deprived condition, but not to hydrogen peroxide. GBE increased nitric oxide production but not to statistically significant levels. CONCLUSIONS: GBE promotes proliferation and has cytoprotective effects in the context of HTMC exposed to serum-deprived or hypoxic conditions. However oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide did not have an effect on proliferation of HTMC. In addition these effects were not related to the production of nitric oxide.