Effects of extract of ginkgo biloba761 on the expression of apoptosis,p-p38MAPK in hippocampus CA1 of vascular dementia rat model

Objective To study the effects of extract of ginkgo biloba( Egb761) on spatial learning and memory ability of rat model of vascular dementia,moreover observe the expression of apoptosis and pp38 MAPK in CA1 of hippocampus. Methods In this research the vascular dementia( VD) model was established by two vascular( 2-VO) method,and then sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into VD group,sham operation group and VD plus Egb761 group. Rats in Egb group were given 100 mg·kg-1·d-1dose Egb761 by intraperitoneal injection,moreover rats in VD group and sham operation group were given the same dose normal saline. Spatial learning and memory were examined using the Morris water maze( MWM),neuronal apoptosis was measured by TUNEL,expression of p38 MAPK phospho-activation by Western blot. The differences between these indicators were compared by using t test. Results In the first four days,the hidden platform escape latency of Egb group[( 50. 12 ± 6. 09) s,( 43. 32 ± 4. 18) s,( 40. 34 ± 3. 27) s,( 39.13 ±3.85) s],compared with VD group[( 83.78 ± 8.32) s,( 79.86 ± 9.13) s,( 77.39 ± 6.03) s,( 75.23 ±5.87) s],was significantly shortened( t = 14.57,16.24,24.22,22.99,all P 0.01); and the former platform quadrant time of Egb group[( 27. 35 ± 5. 36) s]were significantly prolonged( t = 15. 31,P 0. 01),compared with VD group [( 19. 62 ± 4. 89) s]; apoptosis and the expression of p-p38MAPK in hippocampus in Egb group [( 138. 39 ± 9. 28),( 0. 462 ± 0. 035) ]significantly reduced( t = 22. 86,19. 33,P 0. 01),compared with VD group [( 216. 58 ± 12. 18),( 0. 926 ± 0. 102) ]. Conclusion Egb761 can significantly improve the spatial learning and memory ability of rats model of vascular dementia,reduce apoptosis in the hippocampus by the inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway. This may be one of the ways by which Egb761 could treat vascular dementia.