NEUROPROTECTION AND COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT BY GINKGO BILOBA IN MCAO MICE

This study investigates the neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing effects of Ginkgo biloba in a mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Different doses of Ginkgo biloba (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg) were administered post-ischemia, with the 100 mg/kg dose showing the most significant neuroprotection, enhancing neuronal survival and improving cognitive outcomes. The optimal dose preserved neurons in the ischemic penumbra, upregulated neurotrophic factors (BDNF and NGF), and improved spatial and recognition memory in behavioral tests. The 200 mg/kg dose, while effective, demonstrated mild toxicity. Overall, Ginkgo biloba exhibited potential as a therapeutic agent for ischemic stroke, offering neuroprotective benefits comparable to nimodipine, with additional neurogenesis-promoting properties.