REGENERATION OF MOTOR NERVES IN BILOBALIDE-TREATED RATS

Bilobalide, a terpene extracted from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba t ree, has been proposed to exert trophic and protective effects on neur ons and on Schwann's cells in various neuropathies. The reinnervation of the extensor digitorum longus muscle following traumatic nerve dama ge was investigated in rats by using electrophysiological and histolog ical techniques. Evaluation parameters included the membrane resting p otential of muscle cells, the spontaneous quantal release of acetylcho line, and the percentage of muscle cells receiving multiple innervatio n. The percentage of muscle cells receiving multiple innervation reach ed a peak more rapidly in treated animals and declined subsequently to values lower than those found in controls. These data suggest that th e rearrangement of regenerated innervation occurs more rapidly in bilo balide-treated animals.