Descrição
The medical interest in western Ginkgo bilobaL. has increased since the 1980s, due to its potent
action on the cerebral vascular activity and, in particular, for Alzheimer's disease. A variety of
mechanisms of neuronal degeneration in Alzheimer's disease has been proposed, which includes
formation of free radicals and oxidative stress [1 ,2]. Regarding the described correlation between
antioxidants and Alzheimer's disease, and considering the use of G. biloga in the mentioned
pathology, in the present study, the antioxidant activity of different dietary supplements (pills
based on G. biloba leaves standardized extract with 24% glycosides and 6% terpenes- P1, P2
and P3) was evaluated and compared to the leaves infusion (LI).The samples from dietary supplements
were prepared as indicated in the label by dissolving each pill in distilled water; P1 , P2 and P3
correspond to pills with 40, 60 and 100 mg of G. biloba standardized extract, respectively).Several
dilutions of all the prepared solutions were used in the antioxidant activity assays, which include
evaluation of free radicals scavenging activity, reducing power and lipid peroxidation inhibition.
Contents in phenolics and flavonoids were also obtained by calorimetric assays. In generai,P2 and
P3 samples revealed the highest antioxidant activity; P2 showed higher free radicals scavenging
activity (EC50=70 μg/ml) and reducing power (EC50=60 μQ/mL), while P3 gave higher lipid
peroxidation inhibition in a β-carotene-linoleate model system (EC50=220 μg/ml) and in brain
homogenates (EC50=20 μg/ml).The mentioned samples also gave the highest amount of
phenolics and flavonoids. Overall, dietary supplements based on standardized extracts of G.
biloba leaves provide higher antioxidant properties than leaves infusion. Furthermore, the
increase of the mass extract in the pills also contributed to increase the antioxidant potential,
since P1 (with the lowest amount of extract- 40 mg) presented the lowest properties. This study
showed that bioactive compounds present in the dietary supplements are different than the ones
present in leaves infusion, and should be determined.