[The beneficial effect of Gingko biloba extract on myocardial impairment in diabetic rats].

AIM

To study the protective effect of Gingko biloba extract (EGb) against myocardial impairment in diabetic rats.

METHODS

Morphology of effect of EGb on myocardium in diabetic rats was observed under light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Activity of super oxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS), inductive nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and content of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) were detected biochemically in myocardial homogenate.

RESULTS

It was manifestation as vascular degeneration and local lysis of myocardial fiber under LM and swelling of mitochondria, shorten of mitochondrial crest, lysis of myofibril under TEM, the activity of SOD decreased and the activity of NOS, iNOS, the content of NO, MDA increased, but the morphological changes became slight in EGb treatment group. Activity of SOD increased while activity of NOS, iNOS and content of MDA, NO decreased in EGb treatment group compared with diabetic group.

CONCLUSION

EGb can protect diabetic myocardium and anti-lipid peroxidation and decrease of NO level may be involved in it.