J Korean Soc Ther Radiol Oncol.  1998 Jun;16(2):107-114.

The Effect of Ginkgo Biloba Extract on Radiosensitivity of Mouse Skin and Jejunal Crypt

• Shin KH
• Ha SW

Abstract

PURPOSE: Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) is known to increase the peripheral blood circulation. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of GBE on the acute normal tissue radiation reaction.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
C3H mice were divided into two groups, radiation alone and two doses GBE plus radiation, for both acute skin reaction and jejunal crypt assay. GBE was given i.p. one hour before irradiation with priming dose given one day earlier. Thirty to Fifty Gy for acute skin reaction and 11 to 14 Gy for jejunal crypt were irradiated to right hind leg and whole body, respectively.
RESULTS
Radiation doses (RD50) for peak skin score of 2.0 were 44.2Gy (40.6-48.2Gy) for radiation alone and 44.4Gy (41.6-47.4Gy) for two doses GBE plus radiation, showing no effect of GBE on acute radiation skin damage. The numbers of regenerating jejunal crypts per circumference were also almost the same for each radiation dose level (p=0.57-0.94), and the mean lethal doses (Do) were 1.80Gy (1.57-2.09Gy) for radiation alone and 1.88Gy (1.65-2.18Gy) for two doses GBE plus radiation, indicating no effect of GBE on jejunal crypt cell survival after radiation.
CONCLUSION
GBE doesn't increase acute normal tissue radiation reaction in this model system. As GBE was verified to enhance radiation effect on tumor, high therapeutic gain is expected when GBE is combined with radiation therapy.

Keyword

Ginkgo biloba extract; Normal tissue radiation reaction; Skin reaction; Jejunal crypt assay

MeSH Terms

Animals
Blood Circulation
Cell Survival
Ginkgo biloba*
Leg
Mice*
Mice, Inbred C3H
Radiation Effects
Radiation Tolerance*
Skin*