Effects of ginkgo biloba on testicle injury induced by diethylstilbestrol in mice.

To evaluate the effect of gingko biloba (EGb) on diethylstilbestrol (DES) induced testicle injury in mice. Fifty male mice were divided into a control group (A), DES group (B), and 3 EGb groups (C, D, E). The EGb-treated groups received peritoneal EGb at 8.75 (C), 17.5 (D), 35 mg/kg (E) BW daily for 7 days. The control group was given equivalent amount of normal saline. The mice in groups B, C, D and E were injected hypodermically with DES at 40 mg/kg BW daily 4 hours after the first herbal administration, while the control was given olive oil. Compared with DES group, the testis coefficients-relative testicular weight increased in the three EGb-treated groups. No significant difference was observed in epididymis coefficients. Lipid peroxidation status and antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were significantly elevated in testes of EGb-treated groups. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities and malonaldehyde (MDA) contents were significantly decreased in testes of the EGb groups. The results indicate that EGb protects the testis from diethylstilbestrol-induced injury.