The Effect of Ginkgo biloba Extract EGb 761 Supplementation on the Blood and Hepatic Glucose Levels in Hyperglycemic Male Albino Rats

Abstract

The Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 is purported to improve brain function by increasing cerebral blood flow and increasing glucose utilization to the brain. The present study sought to provide evidence that EGb 761 supplementation could decrease blood and hepatic glucose levels of hyperglycemic male albino rats. Oral Glucose Tolerance Tests (OGTI) were conducted among male albino rats following a 50-<lay period of dietary supplementation of EGb 761 al doses of O, 1.2, and 2.4 mg/kg body weight Blood glucose levels were measured al various time intervals and hepatic glucose levels were measured postmortem. Analyses of measured blood and hepatic glucose levels revealed that EGb 761 supplementation significantly lowered these parameters to levels similar to those of the untreated control rats. The glucose lowering property of EGb 761 is attributed to the presence of terpenoids in the extract. The terpenoids are known to induce insulin-mediated glucose uptake from blood to the liver.