Antidepressant-like effect of a Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb761) in the mouse forced swimming test: Role of oxidative stress
Abstract
EGb761 is a well-defined mixture of active compounds extracted from Ginkgo biloba leaves. This extract is used clinically due to its neuroprotective effects, exerted probably via its potent antioxidant or free radical scavenger action. Previous studies suggest that oxidative stress, via free radical production, may play an important role in depression and animal models for depression-like behavior. Preclinical studies have suggested that antioxidants may have antidepressants properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the antidepressant-like of EGb761 due to its antioxidant role against oxidative stress induced in the forced swimming test, the most widely used preclinical model for assessing antidepressant-like behavior. Male BALB/c mice were pretreated with EGb761 (10mg/kg, ip) daily for 17 days followed by the forced swimming test and spontaneous locomotor activity. Animals were sacrificed to evaluate lipid peroxidation, different antioxidant enzyme activities, serotonin and dopamine content in midbrain, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. EGb761 significantly decreased the immobility time (39%) in the forced swimming test. This antidepressant-like effect of EGb761 was associated with a reduction in lipid peroxidation and superoxide radical production (indicated by a downregulation of Mn-superoxide dismutase activity), both of which are indicators of oxidative stress. The protective effect of EGb761 is not related to excitatory or inhibitory effects in locomotor activity, and was also associated with the modulation of serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission. It is suggested that EGb761 produces an antidepressant-like effect, and that an antioxidant effect against oxidative stress may be partly responsible for its observed neuroprotective effects.
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The antidepressant-like effect of Ginkgo biloba extract was associated with a reduction in lipid peroxidation and superoxide radical production (as indicated by downregulation of SOD activity).
“This antidepressant-like effect of Ginkgo biloba extract was associated with a reduction in lipid peroxidation and superoxide radical production (as indicated by a downregulation of SOD activity) [54].”
From Preclinical and Clinical Evidence of Antioxidant Effects of Antidepressant Agents: Implications for the Pathophysiology of Major Depressive Disorder (2012) · cites this paper as [54]
Treatment with Ginkgo biloba extract (10 mg/kg) reduces immobility time in the forced swimming test to the same extent as imipramine (39% versus 38%).
“In one study, treatment with Ginkgo biloba extract (10 mg/kg) reduced recorded immobility time in the forced swimming test (FST) to the same extent as imipramine (39% versus 38%).”
From Preclinical and Clinical Evidence of Antioxidant Effects of Antidepressant Agents: Implications for the Pathophysiology of Major Depressive Disorder (2012) · cites this paper as [54]
No differences in locomotor activity were observed with Ginkgo biloba extract, suggesting a selective antidepressant-like effect.
“No differences in locomotor activity were observed, suggesting a selective antidepressant-like effect.”
From Preclinical and Clinical Evidence of Antioxidant Effects of Antidepressant Agents: Implications for the Pathophysiology of Major Depressive Disorder (2012) · cites this paper as [54]
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- Authors
- Rojas, P., Serrano-García, N., Medina-Campos, O. N., Pedraza-Chaverri, J., Ögren, S. O., & Rojas, C.
- Affiliations
- Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía (MX)
- Karolinska Institutet (SE)
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (MX)
- Corresponding author
- Rojas, Patricia
- Venue
- Neurochemistry International
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2011-10
- Volume
- 59
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 628-636
- ISSN
- 0197-0186 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1992755781
- Cited by
- 76
- References
- 59
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 21.36
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Neurochemistry International (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Council of Science and Technology of Mexico (106619)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Ginkgo biloba and Cashew Applications
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Medicinal Plant Extracts Effects
- Keywords
- Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761, antidepressant-like effects, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, forced swim test, immobility time, serotonin, dopamine, neuroprotection, antioxidant activity, depression model, locomotor activity
- MeSH terms
- Ginkgo Extract, Animals, Antidepressive Agents, Dopamine, Glutathione Peroxidase, Glutathione Reductase, Hippocampus, Male, Mesencephalon, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Motor Activity, Synaptic Transmission, Plant Extracts, Serotonin, Superoxide Dismutase, Swimming, Blotting, Western, Lipid Peroxidation, Prefrontal Cortex, Oxidative Stress, Ginkgo biloba, Mice
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