Antioxidant extracts of the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree may protect cells from radiation damage, according to a study published in the International Journal of Low Radiation (2009, Vol. 6:3, pp. 209-218). In the future, this discovery may be used to help reduce side effects in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.
Dr. Chang-Mo Kang of the Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences in Daegu and colleagues at the Kyungpook National University's College of Veterinary Medicine in Daegu City conducted the study to determine the possible protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract against cellular damage induced by irradiation in human lymphocytes and C56BL/6 murine spleen cells.
Extracts of Ginkgo biloba leaves contain antioxidant compounds including glycosides and terpenoids. These compounds are believed to protect against damage from free radicals and other reactive oxidizing species that are generated continuously by the human body's normal metabolism. An excessive amount of free radicals can be produced after exposure to radiation and can damage proteins, DNA, and other biomolecules.
Kang and colleagues collected lymphocytes, or white blood cells, from healthy donors ages 18 to 50 years. They treated half of the cells with commercially available Ginkgo biloba extract in the laboratory and the other half with saline solution as an experimental control.
The researchers analyzed the effects of gamma radiation from radioactive cesium on the human lymphocytes, and discovered that almost 30% of the sample treated with saline solution underwent apoptosis, or programmed cell death, as a result of radiation exposure. By comparison, only one in 20 of the lymphocytes treated with Ginkgo biloba underwent apoptosis.
Parallel studies with laboratory mice also demonstrated a similar protective effect against radiation poisoning.
The results of the study suggest that the extracts can neutralize free radicals and oxidizing agents produced in the cells by radiation, and prevent the cells from undergoing apoptosis, according to the authors.
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