Document Type : Original Article
Authors
- Masoumeh Sadeghipour 1
- Mohammad Amin Rajizadeh 2
- Sedigheh Amiresmaili 3
- Mohammad Amin Momeni Moghadam 4
- Zahra Soltani 5
1 Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, United States
2 Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
3 Department of Physiology, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran
4 Biochemistry Department, Afzalipour Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
5 Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Previous studies reported the protective effects of Ginkgo biloba on memory and the nervous system, and the present study investigated the effects of 6 weeks of consumption of this plant on serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) in adult male rats.
Methods: We allocated 24 male rats into four groups: Control, vehicle, low-dose Ginkgo biloba extract (65 mg/kg), and high-dose Ginkgo biloba extract (100 mg/kg). Animals received Ginkgo biloba or solvent by gavage for 6 weeks. Serum BDNF and NT-4 levels were measured using ELISA.
Results: Serum NT-4 levels did not differ between study groups, but serum BDNF levels increased significantly following Ginkgo biloba consumption (P < 0.05). The effects of Ginkgo biloba on serum neurotrophin levels were not dose-related.
Conclusion: Consuming ginkgo biloba increases serum BDNF levels independent of the dose consumed. Further investigations are required to examine the effects of Ginkgo biloba consumption on signaling molecules and to evaluate its physiological consequences.
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