A Basic Histological Study on the Effects of Ginkgo biloba Extract (EGb 731) on Alloxan Treated Rat Pancreas

Abstract

Alloxan is an organic chemical that reduces blood flow and inhibits cell division. A histological study was carried out to evaluate the effect of the Ginkgo biloba extract, EGb 761, on islet blood flow based on the numbers of erythrocyte-filled blood vessels (EBV) and on islet cell count using a planimetric method in alloxan-treated rat pancreas. Statistical analysis showed that the alloxan-treated groups had lower numbers of EBV than in the untreated reference controls (UNT) although the EGb 761 supplemented group (ALX+E) did not differ significantly from the non-supplemented group (ALX). However, the ALX+E Group had approximately similar islet cell counts as the UNT Group which were also significantly higher than in the non-supplemented ALX group. These findings suggest that the fifty-day supplementation of EGb 761 to contributed to countering the effect of alloxan in renewing the pancreatic islet cells.