Aim: To study the effects of ginkgolide A, B (Gin A, Gin B) and huperzine A (Hup A) on nitric oxide (NO) production from cultured astrocytes.
Methods: Nitrites in supernatants were measured with Griess assay.
Results: Hup A 0.001-100 mumol.L-1 time- and concentration-dependently inhibited the NO production from rat C6 astrocytoma cells. The NO production from C6 cells was concentration-dependently inhibited by the treatment with Gin A or Gin B 0.001-10 micromol.L-1 for 24 h. The NO production from human BT325 astrocytoma cells was concentration-dependently inhibited by Hup A, Gin A, or Gin B 0.01-10 micromol.L-1 for 24 h.
Conclusion: Gin A, Gin B, and Hup A inhibited astrocytes producing NO.