Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) protects human low density lipoproteins against oxidative modification mediated by copper.

The antioxidant effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on copper-mediated human low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidative modification were evaluated by several techniques. Human LDL (0.5 mg/ml) in phosphate buffered saline, pH 7.4, was incubated with 10 microM cupric sulfate at 37 degrees C under air for 8 hours and 24 hours in the presence of varying concentrations of EGb 761. Increases in LDL apoB carbonylation, lipid peroxidation, apoB electrophoretic mobility and LDL fluorescence were all inhibited when the incubation mixture contained EGb 761 at concentrations less than 100 micrograms/ml. This inhibition was EGb 761-concentration-dependent. Thus, EGb 761 has powerful antioxidant effects on copper-mediated LDL oxidative modification.