Ginkgo biloba extract prevents glucose-induced accumulation of ECM in rat mesangial cells.

Pathological remodeling characterized by extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation contributes to diabetic nephropathy (DN). This study evaluated the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) on the metabolism of the ECM in rat mesangial cells cultured in hyperglycemic conditions. The cultured mesangial cells in high glucose conditions were allotted into six groups: normal control group, high glucose group, low concentration of GbE group, moderate concentration of GbE group, high concentration of GbE group, and captopril group.

Ginkgo biloba extract prevents against apoptosis induced by high glucose in human lens epithelial cells.

Aim: To investigate the protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on high glucose-induced apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells (HLEC) and the possible molecular mechanisms.

Methods: The cultured HLEC were allotted into 6 groups: normal group, high glucose group, low-, moderate-, and high-dose GBE group, and the bendazac lysine group. Cell viability, cell apoptosis, the activities of cell antioxidases, aldose reductase, caspase-3, the levels of cell antioxidants, and the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were assessed by different methods.