Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract treatment on hepatic inflammation of diet induced obese rats

• Grant number: 12/12330-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Monica Marques Telles
• Grantee: Samira Alves Castiglioni
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Obesity is considered an epidemic that aggregates multiple metabolic complications that cause reduction in the quality of life and its expectancy. Among these complications, there is a non-alcoholic liver disease, which mainly involves steatosis and cirrhosis resulting from the inflammatory process. The development of an efficient therapy of easy availability, low cost and good acceptance by the public is therefore of great interest. The Ginkgo biloba extract has an hepatoprotective action by promoting an improvement in lipid metabolism of the liver, in addition to the anti-oxidants effects. Moreover, there is the anti-inflammatory action of this extract by inhibition of receptor signaling pathway of Toll Like Receptors. However, there is no evidence in the literature of the action of this herbal medicine on the same system in the liver inflammation induced by obesity. In order to elucidate the mechanisms of action of this herbal medicine on hepatic inflammation promoted by obesity, we will use rats with diet-induced obesity (DIO), subjected to prolonged treatment with a standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb761). We will evaluate, by Western blotting technique, the amount and degree of phosphorylation of nuclear factor-ºB (NF-ºB) p65, which is involved in the receptor signaling pathway of the Toll Like Receptors. In addition to that, we will do the histological analysis to show the degree of liver damage in terms of hepatic steatosis and cirrhosis. We will also evaluate the daily food intake, body weight gain, serum levels of liver enzymes and liver fat content after treatment. (AU)