Suppression of experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms in the mice by treatment with Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761)

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) is widely used to treat cerebral disorders. Clinical trials have demonstrated therapeutic benefits of EGb 761 in various vascular diseases. Because the potential pathophysiological mechanisms appear similar to those involved in aneurysmal degeneration, we postulated that EGb 761 might affect the development and progression of experimental abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). This study was aimed to investigate whether EGb 761 influences the development of experimental AAAs, and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Material and methods C57/BL6 mice underwent abluminal application of CaCl 2 to the abdominal aorta followed by gavages with either 200 mg/kg EGb 761 per day or vehicle. Six weeks after AAA induction, aortic tissue was excised for further examinations. Results EGb 761 treatment reduced the aneurysm size compared with vehicle-treated controls. EGb 761 had no effect on hemodynamics or macrophage infiltration in the aortic wall. However, nuclear factor κB protein levels were decreased in the aortas of EGb 761 treated animals. The increased ROS production, SOD and CAT activities, and mRNA expression of p47phox nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase were attenuated by EGb 761 treatment. Moreover, administration of EGb 761 preserved the destruction of the wavy morphology of the elastin during AAA formation. Zymographic activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and MMP-2 was lowered in EGb 761 treated mice. Conclusions These results suggest that treatment with EGb 761 in mice prevented the development of CaCl 2 -induced AAA. The possible mechanisms include decreased oxidative damage and inflammation, preservation of aortic wall architecture, and altered MMPs activities.