Ginkgo Leaf Extract Research Articles

Bio-Inspired Polymeric Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for siRNA Delivery: Cytotoxicity and Cellular Uptake In Vitro

Nanomedicine has introduced strategies that provide precise diagnosis and treatment with fewer side effects than traditional therapies. Treatments for neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, are palliative, necessitating an innovative delivery system with a curative function. This study investigated a solid lipid nanoparticle (SLNP) system’s ability to bind and safely deliver siRNA in vitro. SLNPS were formulated using sphingomyelin and cholesterol, with Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GBE) incorporated to enhance biocompatibility and neuroprotection. Poly-L-lysine (PLL) functionalization ensured successful siRNA binding, safe transport, and protection from nuclease degradation. SLNPs were physicochemically characterized, with binding and protection of siRNA assessed using agarose gels. Cytotoxicity, apoptotic induction, and cellular uptake studies were undertaken in the human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. The GBE-PLL-SLNPs had an average size of 93.2 nm and demonstrated enhanced binding and protection of the siRNA from enzyme digestion, with minimal cytotoxicity in HEK293 (<10%) and SH-SY5Y cells (<15%). Caspase 3/7 activity was significantly reduced in both cells, while efficient cellular uptake was noted. The present study provided a solid basis as a proof of principle study for future applications of the potential therapeutic in vitro, promising to address the unmet medical needs of patients with neurological disorders.

Evaluation of the utilization of Ginkgo biloba leaf (GBL) extract as an eco-friendly wood preservative

Ginkgo biloba leaf (GBL) extract was evaluated as a wood preservative, considering its sustainable availability in forests and cities worldwide. Previous research has demonstrated the antibacterial and antifungal properties of GBL extracts. Based on this information, it was hypothesized that GBL extract could effectively combat wood decay. The wood preservation properties of GBL extracts were evaluated using the “Laboratory test method of natural decay resistance of wood” KS F 2213 (2018). Its performance was compared to that of ACQ-2, a commercial wood preservative. The GBL extract was tested against two common wood decay fungi, namely Fomitopsis palustris and Trametes versicolor. The results showed mass loss rates of 13.6% and 9.9% after culturing these fungi, respectively. Although the GBL extract did not surpass the performance of ACQ-2, it achieved a “resistant” grade according to KS F 2213 (2018). This indicates that GBL extract exhibits a significant wood preservation effect. Furthermore, the GBL extract retains the natural color of wood, which is an advantageous characteristic.

Efficacy and safety of edaravone combined with Ginkgo Leaf Extract and Dipyridamole in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of edaravone combined with Ginkgo Leaf Extract and Dipyridamole (GLED) versus edaravone alone in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction (ACI) by the method of meta-analysis. PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WANFANG DATA, and Chinese Scientific Journal Database were searched to identify publications on edaravone combined with GLED for ACI from inception to June 20, 2024. Stata15.0 statistical software was applied for data analysis. The test group was treated with edaravone combined with GLED, while the control group received edaravone alone. A total of 12 records were involved in this meta-analysis. The combined results exhibited that the effective rate of edaravone combined with GLED was significantly higher than that of edaravone in the treatment of ACI (relative risk = 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15-1.27, P < .001). The National Institute of Health stroke scale scores of edaravone combined with GLED were significantly lower than those of edaravone alone in the treatment of ACI (standardized mean difference = -1.93, 95% CI = -3.36 to -0.50, P = .008). The incidence of adverse reactions in the edaravone combined with GLED group was significantly lower than that in the edaravone alone group (relative risk = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.33-0.70, P < .001) in the treatment of ACI. The combination of edaravone with GLED for treating ACI has better efficacy and higher safety than edaravone alone. Given the limited number of studies identified and possibility of publication bias, the above findings should be verified by more high-quality trials in the future.

Ginkgo biloba leaf extract: A natural and eco-friendly stabilizer for enhancing the thermal and oxidative stability of polyethylene

Ginkgo biloba leaf extract: A natural and eco-friendly stabilizer for enhancing the thermal and oxidative stability of polyethylene

Prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication use in the older population living in Germany

Abstract Background Potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) are medicines for which the risks for adverse events (AEs) usually outweigh the clinical benefits in older adults. PIM is associated with an increased risk of AEs, hospitalizations, mortality and higher health care costs. This analysis presents the prevalence of PIM use and associated factors in people aged 66+ years living in Germany. Methods Data from the nationally representative Study on Health of Older People in Germany (Gesundheit 65+) conducted between 2021-2023 by the Robert Koch Institute, was analyzed. All medicines used, prescribed and over-the-counter (OTC), in the 7 days before the interview were classified into anatomical therapeutic chemical codes. PIM use was identified based on the PRISCUS 2.0 list. Weighted prevalences and associated factors for PIM use are presented. Results 96% of the sample (N = 1,474) took at least 1 medication in the 7 days before the interview. The prevalence of PIM use was 29% (95% CI: 26%-32%), 23% took 1 PIM and 6% 2+. There were no sex differences but a significant increase with age: 23% in the age group 66-74, 33% in the age group 75-84, and 39% in the age group 85 + (29% 1 PIM and 10% 2+). People with a low educational level had a PIM prevalence of 32% compared to 21% in those with a high educational level. Among those reporting having chronic diseases, the PIM prevalence was 34% compared to 19% among those not reporting them. The prevalence of PIM increased with the number of medicines used: 13% in 1-4 medicines, 31% in 5-9 medicines, and 53% in 10+ medicines. The most frequently used PIM in this sample was ginkgo biloba leaf extract (plant-based antidementia drug) followed by diclofenac (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), and then by tricyclic antidepressant drugs (opipramol and amitriptyline). Conclusions PIM use was higher than suggested by prescription data analysis. It was associated with higher age, chronic diseases, polypharmacy and a low educational level. Key messages • PIM use was common, affecting more people with chronic diseases, older age groups and people with a low educational level. • Strategies to promote and monitor appropriate medication use are needed.

Pharmacodynamic and Clinical Effects of Ginkgo Biloba Extract EGb 761 and Its Phytochemical Components in Alzheimer's Disease.

Extracts made from plants are complex mixtures of substances with varying compositions depending on the plant material and method of manufacture. This complexity makes it difficult for scientists and clinicians to interpret findings from pharmacological and clinical research. We performed a narrative review summarizing information on ginkgo biloba leaf extract, its composition, pharmacological data and clinical evidence supporting its administration for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Medicinal products containing ginkgo biloba leaf extract which are manufactured in compliance with the requirements of the European Pharmacopoeia are approved as medicinal products for the treatment of dementia and related conditions by drug regulatory agencies in Europe, Asia and South America. As multicomponent mixtures, they may affect various targets in the pathogenesis of AD, the most common form of dementia. Pharmacodynamic studies demonstrate the effects of EGb 761 and individual constituents on various pathophysiological features of experimentally induced cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration that could contribute to its clinical efficacy. The safety and efficacy in the treatment of AD and cognitive decline has been studied in randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Most of the studies that investigate the effects of ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) used the special extract EGb 761, which makes it the best-researched plant preparation worldwide. It is therefore the only herbal alternative to standard-of-care anti-dementia drugs. However, the mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated yet, and the clinical studies in AD show heterogeneity.

Investigation of Rheological Properties of Molten Materials for Dripping Pills Based on Imaging Monitoring.

Rheological properties, as critical material attributes (CMAs) of solid dispersion drugs such as dripping pills, affect the melting, dispersion, and solidification. Therefore, characterization and assessments of rheological properties in the pharmaceutical process are important in enhancing drug stability and bioavailability. The study aimed to develop a method for analyzing the rheology of molten materials, assessing their consistency and how rheological properties affect the dripping process and pills quality. The rheological behavior of molten materials composed of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GBE) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000 was characterized. Batch consistency of molten materials was evaluated. Image monitoring technology was utilized to capture and process images of the droplet formation process. We established the relationship between the rheological properties of molten materials and various attributes. The quality consistency of molten materials was evaluated, with 12 batches showing similarity above 0.8. The MLR models showed strong correlations (R2 > 0.80) between rheological properties and evaluation attributes. The rheological properties, including consistency coefficient, flow index, and viscosity at 80°C, were identified as critical rheological properties of the molten materials. Rheological property differences of molten materials have an impact on the morphology of droplet and quality performance. A rheological method was established, enabling quality consistency evaluation of molten materials in dripping pills. This study revealed the influence of rheological properties on droplet formation process and dripping pills quality, providing a reference for researches on material attributes control of other traditional Chinese medicine dripping pills.

Hepatoprotective Activity of Gingko biloba‐Mediated TiO2 NPs Against Acetaminophen‐Induced Albino Rats‐ In Vitro Studies

AbstractNumerous effects of “titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs)” have been described and significantly utilized in complementary drugs for many decades. This study is conducted to analyze the therapeutic efficiency of TiO2 NPs against the acetaminophen‐(AMP) induced toxicity. TiO2 NPs were initially prepared using Ginkgo biloba leaf extract as reducing and stabilizing agent. The prepared TiO2 NPs were studied using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. AFM, TEM, XRD, and DLS studies have confirmed the formation of TiO2 NPs with size between 20 to 60 nm with negative surface charge of about −12 mV. Later, hepatoprotective studies were performed by administering AMP to albino mice only once at a dosage of 2 g/kg p.o. Post 24 h of AMP intoxication, the animals were treated orally with three different doses of TiO2 NPs (150, 100, and 50 mg/kg) or silymarin at an amount of 50 mg/kg p.o., administered only once. Post 24 h of last treatment, all the animals were surrendered to death. The group of mice administered with AMP displayed a substantial raise in the serum alkaline phosphatase (560 ± 31.90), lactate dehydrogenase (167 ± 10.17), aspartate amino transferase (251 ± 14.82), alanine amino transferase (326 + 18.96), bilirubin (2.2 ± 1.066), cholesterol (96.7 ± 6.2), and albumin (6.0 ± 1.27) in serum, which signified the liver damage. A considerably depleted level of glutathione (5.4 + 1.24) was detected in the mice intoxicated with AMP. The activities of catalase (33.2 ± 2.66) and superoxide dismutase (36 ± 2.93) declined after exposure to acetaminophen, resulting in oxidative stress in liver. The performance of adenosine triphosphatase (901 ± 50.7) and glucose‐6‐phosphatase (3.9 + 1.15) were considerably inhibited after administrating with AMP. On treating with TiO2 NPs, all the variables reversed significantly towards regular levels and were noticed to be nontoxic. The groups treated with TiO2 NPs exhibited less activity of ALT, AST, LDH, and SALP in serum, indicating the protective effect of TiO2 NPs to prevent liver damage. Exposure with TiO2 NPs inverted the cholesterol, albumin, and bilirubin levels towards normal, which is similar to silymarin treatment. TiO2 NPs exhibited a substantial change in tissue and blood biochemical parameters with that of control groups. These results indicate that TiO2 NPs possesses hepatoprotective properties that mitigate the hepatotoxicity induced by acetaminophen in rats. Hence, TiO2 NPs can be further utilized in the preparation of medicine against hepatic and renal diseases, post further clinical and preclinical studies.

Substantial Differences in Proanthocyanidin Contents among Ginkgo biloba Leaf Extracts in Herbal Medicinal Products Obtained from the German Market.

Pharmacologic activity of proanthocyanidins in Ginkgo biloba leaf extract has recently been reported. The objective of the present study was to screen proanthocyanidin contents in herbal medicinal products containing Ginkgo extracts. A recently published HPLC method for quantification of proanthocyanidins in G. biloba leaf extract EGb 761 was adopted to also be suitable for finished herbal medicinal products. The method was applied to 14 products from the German market. For each product, a set of three individual batches was purchased and analyzed. Substantial differences in proanthocyanidins contents were found among distinct products, ranging from 0.30 to 5.86%. The batch-to-batch variability within each product was low. The highest concentrations are in a similar range as, for example, the amount of Ginkgo terpene trilactones specified in the monograph for G. biloba leaf extract in the European Pharmacopeia. Although it has not yet been established whether and to what extent proanthocyanidins contribute to the overall pharmacological or clinical efficacy of Ginkgo extracts, a potential impact on the purported benefits of different contents in proanthocyanidins cannot be ruled out. Quality assessment of different Ginkgo extracts in the future may include proanthocyanidins.

Identification and quantification of the antioxidants in Ginkgo biloba leaf.

The antioxidant activity of Ginkgo biloba leaf (GBL) extract is closely related to its efficacy against various diseases; however, the antioxidant activities of the specific constituents of GBL remain unclear. In this study, 194 GBL constituents were identified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry, including 97 flavonoids, 37 terpenoids, 29 lignans, 19 carboxylic acids, 5 alkylphenolic acids, 5 alkylphenols, and 2 other compounds. The cleavage rules of the main constituents of GBL were dissected in detail. The 36 GBL constituents with high antioxidant activity were subsequently discovered using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay, including 30 flavonoids and six carboxylic acids. Finally, an HPLC analysis method was established to determine the content of the nine major antioxidants in the three batches of GBL. Among them, kaempferol 3-O-β-D-(6″-p-coumaroyl) glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, and rutin exhibited high antioxidant activity and were found in significant amounts in GBL, with concentrations greater than 0.7mg/g. These results provide an important reference for the development of pharmaceuticals and health products containing GBL.

Synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Ginkgo biloba leaf extract and its in vitro anticancer effects on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using Ginkgo biloba leaf aqueous extract was optimized by response surface methodology to yield monodispersed, crystalline nanoparticles of 18 ± 4 nm diameter. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed capping by flavonoids, terpenoids and polyphenols providing stability for over 6 months. The biosynthesized AuNPs exhibited promising in vitro dose and time-dependent antiproliferative effects against human nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE1 cells with IC50 reducing from 65.7 to 39.2 μg/mL over 24–72 hrs. Distinct cytoplasmic damage was observed under microscope. Treatment with 50 μg/mL AuNPs for 48 hrs dramatically upregulated pro-apoptotic Bax, Caspase-3 and p53 by 8.7, 6.5 and 4.3 fold respectively while downregulating anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 by 11.2 fold, indicating apoptosis induction via mitochondrial intrinsic pathway. The green fabricated G. biloba AuNPs displayed preferential toxicity towards carcinoma cells compared to normal fibroblasts, indicating potential for targeted nasopharyngeal cancer therapy.

Therapeutic efficacy of methylprednisolone sodium succinate via diverse administration routes for mid- to high-frequency sudden sensorineural hearing loss

BACKGROUND Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), characterized by a rapid and unexplained loss of hearing, particularly at moderate to high frequencies, presents a significant clinical challenge. The therapeutic use of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) via different administration routes, in combination with conventional medications, remains a topic of interest. AIM To compare the therapeutic efficacy of MPSS administered via different routes in combination with conventional drugs for the treatment of mid- to high-frequency SSNHL. METHODS The medical records of 109 patients with mid- to high-frequency SSNHL were analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups based on the route of administration: Group A [intratympanic (IT) injection of MPSS combined with mecobalamin and Ginkgo biloba leaf extract injection], Group B (intravenous injection of MPSS combined with mecobalamin and Ginkgo biloba leaf extract injection), and Group C (single IT injection of MPSS). The intervention effects were compared and analyzed. RESULTS The posttreatment auditory thresholds in Group A (21.23 ± 3 .34) were significantly lower than those in Groups B (28.52 ± 3.36) and C (30.23 ± 4.21; P &lt; 0.05). Group A also exhibited a significantly greater speech recognition rate (92.23 ± 5.34) than Groups B and C. The disappearance time of tinnitus, time to hearing recovery, and disappearance time of vertigo in Group A were significantly shorter than those in Groups B and C (P &lt; 0.05). The total effective rate in Group A (97.56%) was significantly greater than that in Groups B and C (77.14% and 78.79%, χ 2 = 7.898, P = 0.019). Moreover, the incidence of adverse reactions in Groups A and C was significantly lower than that in Group B (4.88%, 3.03% vs 2.57%, χ 2 = 11.443, P = 0.003), and the recurrence rate in Group A was significantly lower than that in Groups B and C (2.44% vs 20.00% vs 21.21%, χ 2 = 7.120, P = 0.028). CONCLUSION IT injection of MPSS combined with conventional treatment demonstrates superior efficacy and safety compared to systemic administration via intravenous infusion and a single IT injection of MPSS. This approach effectively improves patients' hearing and reduces the risk of disease recurrence.

Real-time monitoring of the column chromatography process of Ginkgo biloba using near-infrared and Raman spectroscopy combined with spectral fusion strategy

In the column chromatography elution process of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the real-time monitoring of active components plays an important role in product quality control. In this study, the column chromatography elution process in preparing of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract was performed in bench scale, where near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy were collected to determine the concentration changes of several critical quality attributes. Based on single spectral data and fused spectral data, partial least squares and support vector machine models were established, respectively. The results indicated that for most analytes, models based on Raman spectra were superior to NIR spectral models, and fusion models established by the mid-level data fusion approach were superior to the single spectral models. The coefficients of determination (Rt2) of the optimal Raman and mid-level data fusion models were all higher than 0.96. The concentration profiles predicted by the mid-level data fusion quantitative models were in better agreement with the real trends defined by measured values. This is the first-ever study reporting the real-time monitoring of TCM column chromatography process by Raman spectroscopy combined with NIR spectroscopy, having vital reference values for process monitoring and understanding of the column chromatography for other TCM.

An effective and comprehensive optimization strategy for preparing Ginkgo biloba leaf extract enriched in shikimic acid by macroporous resin column chromatography.

Previously reported preparation methods of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (EGBL) have mainly focused on the enrichment of flavonoid glycosides (FG) and terpene trilactones (TT), which led to the underutilization of G. biloba leaves (GBL). To make full use of GBL, in this study, a comprehensive optimization strategy for preparing EGBL by macroporous resin column chromatography was proposed and applied to enrich FG, TT, and shikimic acid (SA) from GBL. Initially, the static adsorption and desorption were executed to select suitable resin. Then, the influences of solution pH were investigated by the static and dynamic adsorption. Subsequently, eight process parameters were systematically investigated via a definitive screening design (DSD). After verification experiments, scale-up enrichment was carried out, investigating the feasibility of the developed strategy for application on an industrial scale. It was found that XDA1 was the most appropriate adsorbent for the preparation of EGBL at solution pH 2.0. Furthermore, based on the constraints of the desired quality attributes, the optimized ranges of operating parameters were successfully acquired, and the verification experiments demonstrated the accuracy and reliability of using DSD to investigate the chromatography process for the preparation of EGBL. Finally, magnified experiments were successfully performed, obtaining the EGBL containing 26.54% FG, 8.96% TT, and 10.70% SA, which reached the SA level of EGB761, an international standard EGBL. The present study not only provided an efficient and convenient approach for the preparation of EGBL enriched in SA but also accelerated efforts to high-value utilization of GBL.

L-carnitine and Ginkgo biloba Supplementation In Vivo Ameliorates HCD-Induced Steatohepatitis and Dyslipidemia by Regulating Hepatic Metabolism.

Treatment strategies for steatohepatitis are of special interest given the high prevalence of obesity and fatty liver disease worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the potential therapeutic mechanism of L-carnitine (LC) and Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GB) supplementation in ameliorating the adverse effects of hyperlipidemia and hepatosteatosis induced by a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) in an animal model. The study involved 50 rats divided into five groups, including a control group, a group receiving only an HCD, and three groups receiving an HCD along with either LC (300 mg LC/kg bw), GB (100 mg GB/kg bw), or both. After eight weeks, various parameters related to lipid and glucose metabolism, antioxidant capacity, histopathology, immune reactivity, and liver ultrastructure were measured. LC + GB supplementation reduced serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase levels and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared with those in the HCD group. Additionally, treatment with both supplements improved antioxidant ability and reduced lipid peroxidation. The histological examination confirmed that the combination therapy reduced liver steatosis and fibrosis while also improving the appearance of cell organelles in the ultrastructural hepatocytes. Finally, the immunohistochemical analysis indicated that cotreatment with LC + GB upregulated the immune expression of GLP-1 and β-Cat in liver sections that were similar to those of the control animals. Mono-treatment with LC or GB alone substantially but not completely protected the liver tissue, while the combined use of LC and GB may be more effective in treating liver damage caused by high cholesterol than either supplement alone by regulating hepatic oxidative stress and the protein expression of GLP-1 and β-Cat.

Multifunctional and antimicrobial carboxymethyl cellulose-based active hydrogel film for fruits packaging and preservation

Hydrogel-based film materials have been extensively used in the field of food packaging, whereas the water loss issue and relatively simple function of hydrogel films severely limited their practical application. Herein, we successfully prepared a sort of multi-functional sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/tannic acid (TA)/ginkgo biloba leaf extract (EGBL) hydrogel film (CPTE) and designed as active food preservation system. The water content of the resultant hydrogel film remains >97% when placed in air for one month after solvent displacement. Furthermore, the CPT0.1E1 hydrogel film possesses satisfied UV blocking, antioxidation (82.11%), oxygen barrier (7.91 cm3/(m2·24 h 0.1 MPa)) and controlled release performances. When applied as packaging film, the CPT0.1E1 hydrogel film could effectively prolong the shelf life of strawberry for 7 days. This work is expected to bring a novel strategy for establishing the next generation of hydrogel films-based fruits packaging and preservation with satisfied anti-dehydrating and multi-functional properties.

Protective effects of copper nanoparticles green-formulated by Ginkgo biloba leaf extract on cardiac function in obese insulin-resistant rats

Ginkgo biloba has been revealed to have cardioprotective and antioxidant potentials. But, the efficacy of the copper nanoparticles green-formulated by Ginkgo biloba on the cardiac mitochondria, heart rate variability, and cardiac function are poorly defined. Initially, the plan, Ginkgo biloba extract was coated on the surface of graphene oxide. The as-prepared nanoparticles were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis. It has been shown that the Cu NPs with spherical shape and uniform size were dispersed on the NPs surface. In the animal part, 60 % of energy from fat was used for inducing obesity. Then, the animals were divided to four groups: control rats were fed with the usual diet, untreated rats were fed with high-fat-diet, and treated rats were fed with high-fat-diet + Cu NPs@Ginkgo biloba (30 and 60 µg/kg/day). In this study, the cardiac mitochondrial function, cardiac function, heart rate variability (HRV), and metabolic parameters were determined. The levels of oxidative stress, total cholesterol, plasma insulin levels, visceral fat, and body weight increased and cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction and HRV reduced in the untreated group. Treatment with Cu NPs@Ginkgo biloba reduced oxidative stress, homeostasis model assessment index, total cholesterol, and plasma insulin and regulated cardiac mitochondrial function and HRV in rats. The above results confirm the cardioprotective effects of Cu NPs@Ginkgo biloba. According to the above findings, the recent nanoparticles may be used as a cardioprotective drug or supplement for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases after doing the clinical trial studies in humans.

Transcriptome analysis of the bloom-forming dinoflagellate Prorocentrum donghaiense exposed to Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, with an emphasis on photosynthesis.

Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GBE) can effectively treat bloom-forming freshwater algae. However, there is limited information about the underlying suppression mechanism of the marine bloom-forming Prorocentrum donghaiense-the most dominant algal bloom species in the East China Sea. We investigated the effect of GBE on P. donghaiense in terms of its response to photosynthesis at the molecular/omic level. In total, 93,743 unigenes were annotated using six functional databases. Furthermore, 67,203 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in algae treated with 1.8 g∙L-1 GBE. Among these DEGs, we identified the genes involved in photosynthesis. PsbA, PsbB and PsbD in photosystem II, PsaA in photosystem I, and PetB and PetD in the cytochrome b6/f complex were downregulated. Other related genes, such as PsaC, PsaE, and PsaF in photosystem I; PetA in the cytochrome b6/f complex; and atpA, atpD, atpH, atpG, and atpE in the F-type H+-ATPase were upregulated. These results suggest that the structure and activity of the complexes were destroyed by GBE, thereby inhibiting the electron flow between the primary and secondary quinone electron acceptors, primary quinone electron acceptor, and oxygen-evolving complex in the PSII complex, and interrupting the electron flow between PSII and PSI, ultimately leading to a decline in algal cell photosynthesis. These findings provide a basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying P. donghaiense exposure to GBE and a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of harmful algal blooms.

Green Synthesis of Narrow-Size Silver Nanoparticles Using Ginkgo biloba Leaves: Condition Optimization, Characterization, and Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Activities.

Natural products derived from medicinal plants offer convenience and therapeutic potential and have inspired the development of antimicrobial agents. Thus, it is worth exploring the combination of nanotechnology and natural products. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized from the leaf extract of Ginkgo biloba (Gb), having abundant flavonoid compounds. The reaction conditions and the colloidal stability were assessed using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to characterize the AgNPs. AgNPs exhibited a spherical morphology, uniform dispersion, and diameter ranging from ~8 to 9 nm. The FTIR data indicated that phytoconstituents, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and terpenoids, could potentially serve as reducing and capping agents. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized AgNPs was assessed using broth dilution and agar well diffusion assays. The results demonstrate antibacterial effects against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains at low AgNP concentrations. The cytotoxicity of AgNPs was examined in vitro using the CCK-8 method, which showed that low concentrations of AgNPs are noncytotoxic to normal cells and promote cell growth. In conclusion, an environmentally friendly approach for synthesizing AgNPs from Gb leaves yielded antibacterial AgNPs with minimal toxicity, holding promise for future applications in the field of biomedicine.

Bioengineered DNA-decorated UiO-66-based nanocarriers for combined administration of doxorubicin and sorafenib: Hepatocellular carcinoma treatment and chemotherapy

Natural biomaterials were used to decorate UiO-66-NH2 to develop a platform for co-drug delivery of doxorubicin and sorafenib as a cost-effective and easy way to use a drug delivery system (DDS). To properly characterize the modified MOFs, standard analytical methods were used. Then doxorubicin and sorafenib were loaded into and onto the porosity of the MOF, UiO-66-NH2. The surface morphological analysis, FESEM, and TEM images revealed the hexagonal structure of the UiO-66-NH2, demonstrating the successful synthesis of these green MOFs. Internalization and loading of doxorubicin on the MCF-7 cell line was investigated with two-dimensional fluorescence microscopy, which shows that drug internalizations on the cancerous cells were successful and promising. The drug payload of 49.5% and 31.2% for doxorubicin and sorafenib were attained, respectively. Study on the MCF-7 HT-29 and HEK-293 cell lines exhibited excellent cell viability when subjected to both low and high concentrations of 0.1 µg.mL−1 and 50 µg.mL−1, respectively. After 24 h of treatment, the relative cell viability of 85.1%, 88.1%, and 76.8% was achieved for the HT-29, HEK-293, and MCF-7 cell lines, respectively. In addition, after 48 h of treatment, the relative cell viability of 82.5%, 83.5%, and 68.5% was recorded, respectively. However, the percentage of cell viability was dramatically reduced by coating the nanocarrier with Ginkgo biloba leaf extract and E. Coli DNA (62.6%, 40.9%, and 45.1% for 24 h treatment and 62.1%, 38.5%, and 38.9% for 48 h treatment in HEK-293, HT-29, and MCF-7 cell lines, respectively).