Ginkgo biloba modulates ET-I/NO signalling in Lead Acetate induced rat model of endothelial dysfunction: Involvement of oxido-inflammatory mediators

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the modulatory effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on lead acetate-induced endothelial dysfunction. Animals were administered GBE (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg orally) after exposures to lead acetate (25 mg/kg orally) for 14 days. Aorta was harvested after euthanasia, the tissue was homogenised, and supernatants were decanted after centrifuging. Oxidative, nitrergic, inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic markers were assayed using standard biochemical procedure, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry, respectively. GBE reduced lead-induced oxidative stress by increasing SOD, GSH, and CAT as well as reducing MDA levels in endothelium. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) were reduced while increasing Bcl-2 protein expression. GBE lowered endothelin-I and raised nitrite levels. Histological changes caused by lead acetate were normalised by GBE. Our findings suggest that Ginkgo biloba extract restored endothelin-I and nitric oxide functions by increasing Bcl-2 protein expression and reducing oxido-inflammatory stress in endothelium.

KEYWORDS:

• Ginkgo biloba
• lead acetate
• oxido-inflammatory stress
• apoptosis
• endothelial dysfunction

Acknowledgements

With deep sense of gratitude, the authors appreciate the expertise of Dr Ajayi A.M and Mr Adebowale (Mr kit) during the laboratory experiment.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Author contributions

JNA conceptualised the experiments, SIO, ACN, and JNA managed the animal experimentation, JNA, GDY, NEE, and EKN managed the laboratory assays, JNA wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final draft and submission of the manuscript.

Consent to publish

All authors approved the submission and publication of this manuscript.

Data availability statement

All data associated with this study are included in this manuscript.

Human and animal rights

The study’s methodology, which completely adhered to the National Guideline for Laboratory Animal Care (NIH Publication No. 85–23), and the use of animals were both approved by the PAMO University Medical Sciences research ethics committee with the approval number PUMS-AREC/2021/052.

Additional information

Funding

This study was entirely funded by the authors.