EGb761 suppressed vascular dementia via modulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-induced apoptosis and autophagy in hippocampal neuronal cells

Eur J Med Res. 2025 Jun 19;30(1):497. doi: 10.1186/s40001-025-02681-6.

Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed to explore the effects of EGb761 on vascular dementia (VD) rats and the mechanisms of action.

Methods: The Morris water maze test was utilized to assess the spatial learning and memory abilities of the rats; Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining and electron microscopy were used to observe changes in hippocampal neuron cells; Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and microtubule-associated proteins light chain 3 (LC3-II) positive cells in hippocampal neurons; immunofluorescence staining was carried out to determine the immunofluorescence intensity of IRGM in hippocampal neurons; western blotting was used to measure the expression of related proteins.

Results: EGb761 significantly improved the cognitive function of vascular dementia rats (P < 0.01) and reduced the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons.Furthermore, EGb761 suppressed ROS, thereby promoting the expression of proteins related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and inhibiting the expression of C-Jun N-terminal Kinase (p-JNK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-c-JUN), Protein 53 (P53), immunity-related GTPase M (IRGM), Transcription Factor EB (TFEB), microtubule-associated proteins light chain 3 (LC3), Lysosomal Associated Membrane Protein 1 (LAMP1), and Sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1).

Conclusions: Ginkgo Biloba Extract 761 (EGb761) mediated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to inhibit apoptosis and autophagy in hippocampal neurons in VD rats.

Keywords: Autophagy; EGb761; Hippocampal neurons; Vascular dementia rats; Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis* / drug effects
  • Autophagy* / drug effects
  • Dementia, Vascular* / drug therapy
  • Dementia, Vascular* / metabolism
  • Dementia, Vascular* / pathology
  • Ginkgo Extract
  • Ginkgo biloba / chemistry
  • Hippocampus* / cytology
  • Hippocampus* / drug effects
  • Hippocampus* / metabolism
  • Hippocampus* / pathology
  • Male
  • Neurons* / drug effects
  • Neurons* / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts* / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts* / therapeutic use
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway* / drug effects
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • Ginkgo biloba extract
  • Plant Extracts
  • beta Catenin
  • Ginkgo Extract