THE POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC ROLE OF GINKGO BILOBA EXTRACTS ON THE PROSTATE IN A RAT MODEL OF STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETES: A HISTOMORPHOMETRIC STUDY

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a worldwide endocrine and metabolic disease. It is increasing rapidly nowadays due to modern lifestyle habits. Herbal extracts have been applied for a long time in the treatment of several illnesses. Ginkgo biloba extract was a popular herbal treatment for neurological diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia.
Aim of work: assess the potential therapeutic role of Ginkgo biloba extracts against diabetes caused by streptozotocin on the prostate gland in adult male albino rats. Material and methods: 30 adult male albino rats divided into three groups (10 rats each): Group I (control) divided into two subgroups (five rats each). Subgroup I-a: rats did not undergo any experiments, receiving only food and water. Subgroup I-b: rats received single intraperitoneal (IP) injection of 0.2 ml of 0.1 M sodium citrate. Group II (diabetic group): rats received a single IP injection of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin dissolved in sodium citrate buffer just before injection. Group III (ginkgo biloba group): rats received a single IP injection of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin as discussed in group II. One week after induction of diabetes the rats received ginkgo biloba (100 mg/kg/day) dissolved in 0.4 ml distilled water orally by gastric tube for 4 weeks. Results: In the diabetic group, acinar cells lost their normal structural architecture and revealed few luminal epithelial folds with pale luminal secretions. The stroma shows many congested blood vessels with inflammatory cells and some cells were vacuolated. In ginkgo biloba group there was restoration to the structure of gland. The acini showed few epithelial folds. Dark luminal secretions were observed in some acini Conclusion: Ginkgo biloba extract have a promising therapeutic effect against the structural damaging effects of diabetes caused by streptozotocin on the prostate gland in adult male albino rats.