Hepatology Research 15 (1999) 215 – 224
Protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on
CCI
4
-induced liver damage
I. Halil Bahc ¸eciog ˘lu
a,
*, Bilal Ustundag ˘
b
, Ibrahim Ozercan
c
,
Ergu ¨l Erc ¸el
d
, Giyasettin Baydas ¸
d
, Taner Akdere
a
, Ali Demir
a
a
Department of Gastroenterology, Firat Uniersity, College of Medicine, Firat Tıp Merkezi,
Ic ¸ hastalıkları ABD, Elazig ˘ 23119, Turkey
b
Department of Biochemistry, Firat Uniersity, College of Medicine, Firat Tıp Merkezi, Ic ¸ hastalıkları
ABD, Elazig ˘ 23119, Turkey
c
Department of Pathology, Firat Uniersity, College of Medicine, Firat Tıp Merkezi, Ic ¸ hastalıkları
ABD, Elazig ˘ 23119, Turkey
d
Department of Phsyology, Firat Uniersity, College of Medicine, Firat Tıp Merkezi, Ic ¸ hastalıkları
ABD, Elazig ˘ 23119, Turkey
Received 23 January 1999; received in revised form 31 March 1999; accepted 7 April 1999
Abstract
In this study, the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761), an antioxidant, on
carbon tetrachloride (CCI
4
)-induced liver damage were investigated in rats. Malondialdehyde
(MDA, a breakdown product of lipid peroxidation) levels, histopathological findings and
serum enzyme activities were evaluated. Rats were divided into two groups: The first group
(CCI
4
plus EGb 761) was composed of 18 rats, whereas the second group (CCI
4
) had 14 rats.
A total of 0.15 ml/100 g body weight CCI
4
were injected subcutaneously for 3 days/week to
the rats in both groups. In the first group, 200 mg/kg per day EGb 761 were added to
drinking water. The second group of rats received only tap water. After the 4-week
treatment, rats were sacrificed, blood samples were collected for determination of alanine
aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP),
and plasma MDA levels. Liver tissue samples were used for histopathological examinations
and measurement of MDA levels. Plasma MDA levels, ALT, AST and ALP activities were
significantly higher in CCI
4
group compared to the CCI
4
plus EGb 761 group (P 0.05,
P 0.01, P 0.01, P 0.05, respectively). The level of liver MDA was significantly de-
creased in the CCI
4
plus EGb 761 group than CCI
4
group (P 0.001). In histopathological
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* Corresponding author. Tel.: +90-424-233-3555, ext. 2441; fax: +90-424-237-9138.
E-mail address: ustundagbilal@hotmail.com (I.H. Bahc ¸eciog ˘lu)
1386-6346/99/$ - see front matter © 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
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