Effect of ginkgo biloba on skin, evaluation on rat

SUMMARYAdverse effects on surrounding tissues induced by radiotherapy (RT) may cause discontinuation of treatment and due to this effect may lead to a decrease the rate of tumor control. In this randomized double blinded experimental study, the effect of EGb-761 on the dermatitis developed secondary to RT on the low extremities irradiated rats has been aimed to investigate that has not yet been reported in the litterature.Rats were randomized into four such as group A (n=9) sham EGb-761 & sham RT (control) group, group B (n=10) EGb-761 and sham RT (drug) group, group C (n=10) RT & sham EGb-761 (RT) and group D (n=9) EGb-761 & RT (drug+RT) group. Rats in the drug group treated with 100mg/kg/day EGb-761 intraperitoneally for 5 days. Low extremities were irradiated to 36Gy.It has been reported a significant decrease as 7% rate in GSH levels in the irradiated group compared to control group (p= 0.022). In the group that was treated with drug before RT only 12% increase has been reported if compared to RT group (p< 0.0001). MDA level of RT group was 127% of the control group (p= 0.015). MDA level of drug+RT group was decreased to 74% of those who had irradiated (p< 0.0001). NOx levels were seem to be increased in irradiated group if compared to control and drug group. 10% increase was seem in irradiated group compared to control group and 21.13% decrease was seem in RT + drug group if compared to irradiated alone group (p= NS).No dermatitis was reported concerning the dermatitis existence in either of the drug group and control group. There was 100% dermatitis in the RT group and only 13% dermatitis was observed in the RT +drug group (p< 0.0001).When drug + RT group was compared to the RT group there was no difference between PCNA and TGF-ß 3 immunreactivity being pozitive rate (89%, 100% respectively). The difference was not significant statistically, by means of for both parameters (staining intensity and proportion) values were reported lower on the drug+ RT group than the irradiated group.As a result, EGb-761 is protective against to the damage occured incase of oxidatif stress induced by RT. Experimental and clinical studies are required to evaluate the EGb-761 effects on the normal tissue damage induced by radiotherapy.