Antioxidant Action of Ginkgo biloba Extract

Abstract

The action of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) as an antioxidant was studied in various systems. GBE reacted rapidly with galvinoxyl radical and acted as a peroxyl radical scavenger. It also suppressed in a concentration-dependent manner the oxidations of methyl linoleate in homogeneous solution, soybean phosphatidylcholine liposomal membranes and also low density lipoprotein in aqueous dispersions. GBE was found to reduce α-tocopheroxyl radical and spare α-tocopherol in the oxidations of lipids and LDL. These results suggest that GBE might act as a potent antioxidant in vivo as well as in vitro.