Protection against beta-amyloid induced abnormal synaptic function and cell death by Ginkgolide J.

Ottavio Vitolo, Bing Gong, Zixuan Cao, Hideki Ishii, Stanislav Jaracz, Koji Nakanishi, Ottavio Arancio, Sergei V Dzyuba, Roger Lefort, Michael Shelanski

Index: Neurobiol. Aging 30(2) , 257-65, (2009)

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Abstract

A new Ginkgo biloba extract P8A (TTL), 70% enriched with terpene trilactones, prevents A beta(1-42) induced inhibition of long-term potentiation in the CA1 region of mouse hippocampal slices. This neuroprotective effect is attributed in large part to ginkgolide J that completely replicates the effect of the extract. Ginkgolide J is also capable of inhibiting cell death of rodent hippocampal neurons caused by A beta(1-42). This beneficial and multi-faceted mode of action of the ginkgolide makes it a new and promising lead in designing therapies against Alzheimer's disease.