Protective effect of Ginkgo biloba leaves extract, EGb761, on endotoxin-induced acute lung injury via a JNK- and Akt-dependent NFκB pathway

J Agric Food Chem. 2014 Jul 9;62(27):6337-44. doi: 10.1021/jf501913b. Epub 2014 Jun 30.

Abstract

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a clinical syndrome mainly caused by Gram-negative bacteria which is still in need of an effective therapeutic medicine. EGb761, an extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves, has several bioeffects including anti-inflammation, cardioprotection, neuroprotection, and free radical scavenging. Preadministration of EGb761 inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced histopathological changes and exchange of arterial blood gas. In addition, LPS-induced expression of proinflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), were suppressed by EGb761. The activation of nuclear factor (NF)κB, a transcription factor of proinflammatory mediators, and phosphorylation of IκB, an inhibitor of NFκB, were also reduced by EGb761. Furthermore, we found the inhibitory concentration of EGb761 on phosphorylation of JNK and Akt was less than those of ERK and p38 MAPK. In conclusion, EGb761 is a potential protective agent for ALI, possibly via downregulating the JNK- and Akt-dependent NFκB activation pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Lung Injury / chemically induced
  • Acute Lung Injury / drug therapy*
  • Acute Lung Injury / genetics
  • Acute Lung Injury / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Endotoxins / toxicity
  • Ginkgo biloba / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / genetics
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • NF-kappa B / genetics
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Oncogene Protein v-akt / genetics
  • Oncogene Protein v-akt / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry

Substances

  • Endotoxins
  • NF-kappa B
  • Plant Extracts
  • Ginkgo biloba extract
  • Oncogene Protein v-akt
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4