Inhibition by ginkgolides and bilobalide of the production of nitric oxide in macrophages (THP-1) but not in endothelial cells (HUVEC)11Abbreviations: NO, nitric oxide; NOS, nitric oxide synthase; iNOS, inducible NOS; eNOS, endothelial NOS; EGb, extracts of Ginkgo biloba leaves; THP-1, a human monocytic cell line; HUVEC, human umbilical vein endothelial cells; and RT–PCR, reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction.

摘要: Nitric oxide (NO) is a principal mediator in many physiological and pathological processes. NO produced by constitutive nitric synthase endothelial cells (eNOS) acts as vasodilator, whereas excess production due to elevated expression of inducible (iNOS) may produce cytotoxic effects the vascular wall. We demonstrated our previous work that extract Ginkgo biloba leaves (EGb) inhibits iNOS-mediated production. The objective present study was investigate several active EGb components on macrophages derived from human monocytic cell line (THP-1), well eNOS-mediated umbilical vein (HUVEC). Ginkgolide A, ginkgolide B, or bilobalide (0.25 1.0 microg/mL) caused 30-65% reduction levels metabolites released THP-1 after 4 hr incubation, with corresponding decrease iNOS activity. Western immunoblotting analysis coupled nuclease protection assay reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed concomitant protein mass mRNA A-, B-, bilobalide-treated macrophages. On other hand, these compounds did not affect eNOS HUVEC. Taken together, results suggest contribute selective inhibitory effect without affecting