Effects of extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves and its constituents on carcinogen-metabolizing enzyme activities and glutathione levels in mouse liver

Abstract The effects of a standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba L. leaves (EGb) and its terpene constituents, bilobalide and ginkgolides, on the activities of detoxification enzymes, i.e., glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and DT-diaphorase, and glutathione contents, were investigated in the mouse liver. Oral treatment with EGb (100–1000 mg/kg) and bilobalide (10–30 mg/kg) once a day for 4 days caused a dose-dependent elevation in GST activity. Ginkgolide A (30 mg/kg, for 4 days) also significantly elevated GST activity, whereas ginkgolide B and ginkgolide C at the same dose had no effects. EGb significantly increased the protein level of GST π, and bilobalide significantly increased those of GST α and GST μ. Moreover, EGb-treatment and bilobalide-treatment caused significant elevations in DT-diaphorase activity and in hepatic glutathione contents.