목적 : 망막색소상피에 대한 자외선, 산화, 저산소 손상에서 Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb)의 세포사멸에 대한 보호효과를 알아보고자 하였다. 대상과 방법 : 배양망막색소상피에 EGb, Vitamin E, 홍삼을 손상 자극 전에 투여하고 자외선 손상, 산화 손상, 저산소 배양 손상을 주었다. 일정 시간 후에 생존 세포수를 결정하고, apoptosis의 정도를 결정하여 이들 약물의 효과를 비교하였다. 결과 : UVB 조사 전에 EGb와 Vitamin E를 투여하였을 때, 투여하지 않은 경우보다 세포 생존율이 높았고, 최대 생존율에 대한 EGb와 Vitamin E의 차이는 없었다. 산화 손상 1시간 전에 EGb를 투여하였을 때 세포 생존율이 높아졌다. 저산소 손상에 대한 최대 약물 보호 효과는 EGb, Vitamin E, 홍삼 중 EGb가 가장 좋았다. 결론 : EGb는 배양망막색소상피에 대한 손상으로부터 세포 사멸을 억제하는 작용이 있으며, 병인에서 망막색소상피세포의 손상이 중요한 역할을 하는 질환의 치료제로서 효과가 있을 가능성을 뒷받침한다.

Purpose: The protective effect of the Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) on the retinal pigment epithelia (RPE) against ultraviolet, oxidative, and hypoxic damage was investigated. Methods: Cultured RPE was exposed to ultraviolet B, oxidative damage and hypoxic culture condition after treating with EGb, Vitamin E and red ginseng. Viable RPE after the application of stress was determined by trypan blue assay or MTT assay, and the apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. Protective effect against the stress by each agent was compared. Results: The group treated with EGb or Vitamin E 1 hour prior to UVB exposure showed a better survival rate than the control group did, and there was no difference in the best survival rate between EGb and Vitamin E. EGb treatment 1 hour before oxidative damage positively affected the survival rate of the RPE. EGb, Vitamin E and red ginseng showed the strongest protective effect against hypoxic damage at the concentration of 0.5 mg/ml, 0.1 mM and 1 mg/ml respectively, with the protective effect of EGb being superior to that of the rest. Conclusions: These results show that EGb prevents cell death by a variety of damage on RPE, and support the possibility for EGb as a therapeutic agent in the diseases in which RPE damage plays an important role in the pathogenesis.

Purpose: The protective effect of the Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) on the retinal pigment epithelia (RPE) against ultraviolet, oxidative, and hypoxic damage was investigated. Methods: Cultured RPE was exposed to ultraviolet B, oxidative damage and hypoxic culture condition after treating with EGb, Vitamin E and red ginseng. Viable RPE after the application of stress was determined by trypan blue assay or MTT assay, and the apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. Protective effect against the stress by each agent was compared. Results: The group treated with EGb or Vitamin E 1 hour prior to UVB exposure showed a better survival rate than the control group did, and there was no difference in the best survival rate between EGb and Vitamin E. EGb treatment 1 hour before oxidative damage positively affected the survival rate of the RPE. EGb, Vitamin E and red ginseng showed the strongest protective effect against hypoxic damage at the concentration of 0.5 mg/ml, 0.1 mM and 1 mg/ml respectively, with the protective effect of EGb being superior to that of the rest. Conclusions: These results show that EGb prevents cell death by a variety of damage on RPE, and support the possibility for EGb as a therapeutic agent in the diseases in which RPE damage plays an important role in the pathogenesis.

Ginkgo biloba extract, Hypoxia, Oxidative damage, Retina pigment epithelia, Ultraviolet damage