Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on learning and possible actions on aging

• Published in: Journal of physiology, Paris Vol. 91; no. 6; pp. 291 - 300
• Main Authors: Cohen-Salmon, Ch, Venault, P, Martin, B, Raffalli-Sébille, M-J, Barkats, M, Clostre, F, Pardon, M-C, Christen, Y, Chapouthier, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France Elsevier Ltd 01.12.1997
• Subjects: aging; Aging - physiology; Animals; EGb761; Female; genetics; Ginkgo biloba; hippocampus; Hippocampus - drug effects; Hippocampus - physiology; Hippocampus - ultrastructure; inbred strains; learning; Maze Learning - drug effects; Maze Learning - physiology; memory; Memory - drug effects; Memory - physiology; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred DBA; Nerve Fibers - drug effects; Nerve Fibers - physiology; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Species Specificity; Swiss mice; transgenic mice; Ginkgo biloba; genetics; Swiss mice; memory; transgenic mice; hippocampus; EGb761; inbred strains; learning; aging
• ISSN: 0928-4257; 1769-7115
• DOI: 10.1016/S0928-4257(97)82409-6

A study of the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) has shown enhancing effects on training in adult and aged Swiss mice. An analysis of inbred mice has confirmed this sensitivity to EGb 761, but depending on the strains, with different effects at different ages. The most interesting results are related to improvements in performances observed with aged mice of the DBA 2J strain. The results obtained with inbred strains in the study of the mossy fibers of the hippocampus make it possible to suggest a link between the improvements in training and the histological structure of the hippocampus. This possibility, which can be confirmed by further studies, is presented here.