The effect of Ginkgo biloba extract treatment in the Bcl-2 expression by osteoblasts in the femoral trabecular bone of Wistar rats with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis

Evaluate the effect of the extract of Ginkgo biloba L., Ginkgoaceae (EGb) in the Bcl-2 expression by osteoblasts in the femoral trabecular bone of Wistar rats with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Rats were divided into five groups: osteoporosis; EGb1 (28 mg/kg); EGb2 (56 mg/kg); alendronate (0.2 mg/animal) and control. The treatments were conducted for 20 or 30 days. The Bcl-2 expression by osteoblasts cells was evaluated in the femoral trabecular bone. The control group was compared with the osteoporosis-induced group (Student's t-test). The other groups were analyzed by ANOVA test followed by Tukey's test (p < 0.05). The percentage of Bcl-2 expression was reduced, when the control group (17.95 ± 3.45 20 days; 21.11 ± 3.43 30 days) was compared with the osteoporosis group (10.64 ± 3.30 20 days; 9.72 ± 2.84 30 days). Nevertheless, this percentage increased in the EGb2 group (18.58 ± 3.41 20 days; 16.51 ± 1.80 30 days) when compared to the osteoporosis group. The EGb increased the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein, suggesting a decrease in osteoblast apoptosis