ISSN: 2578-5079
Authors: Idowu EO* and Owoeye O
Stroke is one of the most prevalent vascular diseases in the world and has persistently ranked as at least the third leading cause of death globally over the past few decades (WHO). Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) contains flavonoids and ginkgolides making it a promising anti-oxidative natural product. The aim was to evaluate neuroprotective effects of GBE on hippocampus and cerebrum of Wistar rat with acute ischaemia induced by the bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO).Thirty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 5 study groups (n=6) and acclimatized in clean cages for a week. Group A, received Normal saline, Group B received GBE only, Group C had BCCAO only, Group D received GBE presurgery, and Group E received GBE postsurgery. The safe oral GBE daily dose of 100 mg/kg/day was administered for 14 days. 2 rats shared 1 capsule per day at average weight of 200 grams. Giloba, the soft gel capsule used, was manufactured by Mega Life Sciences Nigeria Ltd.: NAFDAC Reg. No. A7-0404L. After adequate anaesthesia at 80-100mg/kg of intraperitoneal Ketamine, BCCAO was performed with 3/o silk suture ligation. Reperfusion was allowed after 30 minutes. Analgesia and antibiotic prophylaxis were with intramuscular paracetamol injection and topical penicillin cream. Neurobehavioral changes in spatial exploration was assessed using Y-Maze toolkit. On day 21, from onset of acclimatization, the rats were sacrificed by gentle cervical dislocation under mild anaesthesia and the whole brain harvested for histomorphological studies.GBE offered neuroprotection as evidenced by remarkably less pyknotic cells and perineuronal vacuolations in the brain tissue with prophylactic effect being more pronounced than therapeutic action. It also boosted spatial working memory in the rats.
Keywords: Global; Stroke; Ischaemia; Neuroprotection; Ginkgo; Carotid; Wistar
