Experimental studies of Panax notoginseng saponins and Ginkgo biloba extracts on preventing acute oxygen toxicity

Aim: To investigate the preventive effects of Panax notoginseng saponines (PNS) and Ginkgo biloba extracts (GbE) on acute oxygen toxicity and the possible mechanisms. Methods: Mice were injected intraperitoneally with PNS and GbE for 5 days, then were exposed to 500 kPa hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) for 60 min, the convulsion latency, times and interval were observed. Moreover, reactive oxygen (RO) unit, MDA, NO, GSH levels and GSH-Px, CAT, MAO activities of mice brain were determined after they were exposed to HBO for 15 min. Results: PNS and GbE could markedly prolong the convulsion latency and interval, reduce convulsion times, decrease contents of MDA and NO in mice brain, keep RO unit, GSH and GSH-Px at higher levels, but had no effects on CAT and MAO activities. Conclusion: PNS and GbE could effectively prevent acute oxygen toxicity, which were related to their antioxidant activities.