Ginkgo biloba extracts EGb 761 and bilobalide increase NADH dehydrogenase mRNA level and mitochondrial respiratory control ratio in PC12 cells

In the present study, we investigated the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract, EGb 761, and one of its components, bilobalide, on gene expression of subunit I of mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase (ND1) in PC12 cells. By Northern blot analysis we found a similar to2-fold significant increase in ND1 mRNA level, after 48 and 72 h exposure to 100 mug/ml EGb 761 and to 10 mug/ml bilobalide. We also evaluated, by oxygraphy measurements, mitochondrial respiration during state 3 and state 4. In cells treated with EGb 761 and bilobalide for 48 and 72 h, state 4 respiration was significantly decreased, and the respiratory control ratio was increased. These results provide evidence that EGb 761 and bilobalide exert their protective effects by up-regulating mitochondrial ND1 gene expression and by decreasing state 4 respiration, whose increase is thought to be responsible for oxidative damage.