Effect of Ginkgo Biloba Extract (EGb 761) on Lead-induced Nephrotoxicity in Wistar Albino Rats.

Abstract

Background: Lead is a well-known omnipresent environmental toxin that is harmful to almost any system of the body. Kidneys being the major site of excretion, are very susceptible to its toxic effects. The damage usually involves the proximal convoluted tubules (PCTs) and glomeruli, mainly because of the oxidative stress induced by lead. Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761), being known to have natural anti-oxidative properties, was used in this study to see whether it ameliorates the lead-induced nephrotoxic effects of not.

Methodology: Twenty male Wistar albino rats were divided into four equal groups. Group A was kept as control and given nothing, Group B was given 8 mg/kg body weight lead acetate intraperitoneally, Group C was given EGb 761 100 mg/kg body weight orally and Group D received both lead acetate as well as EGb 761 simultaneously in the above-mentioned doses. The treatment continued daily for 42 days, after which the rats were sacrificed and histomorphological and immunohistochemical parameters were studied from the extracted kidneys.

Results: Lead-induced histomorphological changes, including widened PCTs, contracted glomeruli, decreased and pyknotic nuclei and widened urinary spaces, were all reverted to near control in Group D animals. EGb 761 itself did not produce changes in Group C rats except that expression of laminin was marginally decreased. Overall, the laminin expression was not much affected in any of the groups.

Conclusion: The present study suggests an ameliorating effect of EGb 761 on lead-induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats. At the same time, other major paralogues of laminin need to be incorporated into the study to see the specific paralogue which is affected in lead-induced nephrotoxicity.