Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on the expressions of Cox-2 and GST-Pi in rats with hepatocellular carcinoma risk

Chao Ou, Hai-Ping Zheng, Jian-Jia Su, Ji Cao, Guo-Jian Li, Le-Qun Li

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and aggressive cancers worldwide, and the pathogenesis is very complicated at present. There is rare effective therapeutic measure, and the novel therapeutic strategies are urgently required to improve clinical outcome. Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) is reported to be with an anti-cancer activity. Objectives: This study was performed to explore the effect of EGb on expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) and glutathione S-transferase Pi (GST-Pi) in the pathogenesis of HCC risk. Methods: 120 Wistar rats were divided into three groups at random: normal control group (control group), HCC risk group without treatment (HCC risk group), HCC risk group treated with EGb (EGb group); n=40, respectively. The HCC risk in rat was induced by aflatoxin B1 injection. At the end of 13-week, 33-week, 53-week and 73-week, 10 rats in each group were killed and the relevant samples were collected. Results: The mRNA and protein expressions of Cox-2 and GST-Pi were measured by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical analysis and western-blot. When compared with those in control group in 73-week, the mRNA and protein expressions of GST-Pi in EGb group were weakened than those in HCC risk group in 73-week. However, the mRNA and protein expressions of Cox-2 in HCC risk group were increased than that of control group, and there was no statistical difference for mRNA and protein expressions of Cox-2 between HCC risk group and EGb group. Conclusion: EGb can regulate the expression of GST-Pi, but it can’t take an effect on the Cox-2 expression in the liver of HCC risk rats.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb); Cox-2; GST-Pi

African Health sciences Vol 14 No. 1 March 2014