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Comparative vasodilating actions among terpenoids and flavonoids contained in Ginkgo biloba extract
Seiichiro Nishida1, Hiroyasu Satoh
1Department of Pharmacology, Division of Crude and Herbal Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634-8521, Japan.
Background:
Comparative vasodilating actions of the constituents of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), terpenoids (bilobalide, ginkgolides A, B and C) and flavonoids (quercetin and rutin), were examined using rat aorta ring strips.
Methods:
Cumulative administrations of GBE and its constituents were followed with the pretreatment of 5 micromol/l NE.
Results:
GBE at 0.03 to 3 mg/ml had a potent concentration-dependent relaxation; by 70 +/- 4.5% (n = 6, P < 0.001) at 3 mg/ml. Terpenoids and flavonoids at 0.1 to 100 micromol/l had potent concentration-dependent relaxation. At 100 micromol/l, bilobalide dilated by 17.6 +/- 3.9% (n = 7, P < 0.05), and ginkgolides A, B and C also caused it to the almost same extent. Quercetin (100 micromol/l) caused a potent vasorelaxation by 49.9 +/- 4.8% (n = 10, P < 0.001). Rutin at 100 micromol/l had weaker vasorelaxation; by 13.7 +/- 3.2% (n = 6, P < 0.01).
Conclusions:
All constituents of GBE have the concentration-dependent vasorelaxtant effect. The potency of GBE's action was not made simply by addition of those of the constituents. Each constituent itself would contribute to the GBE-induced vasodilation, although the constituents have the complicated interactions with each other.
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