NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF GINKGO BILOBA IN A MANGANESEINDUCED ANIMAL MODEL OF MOVEMENT DISORDER: AN EVALUATION OF MOTOR FUNCTION, OXIDATIVE STRESS, AND DOPAMINERGIC NEUROTRANSMISSION

Movement disorders are neurological conditions characterized by abnormal voluntary or involuntary movements not caused by weakness or spasticity, and they may present as either excessive movements, such as tremors, or reduced movements as seen in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Manganese (Mn) neurotoxicity has been associated with movement disorders sharing clinical similarities with PD, largely due to oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and dopaminergic neuron degeneration within the basal ganglia. Gingko biloba, a medicinal plant rich in flavonoids and terpenoids, is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, which may counteract the harmful effects of Mn exposure. This study investigated the neuroprotective role of Ginkgo biloba in a manganese-induced rat model of movement disorder, focusing on motor function. Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of six animals each. Group A served as the control and was maintained on normal feed and distilled water, Group B received 5 mg/kg of Mn orally for four days, Group C received 200 mg/kg of Ginkgo biloba orally for ten days, while Group D was treated with both Mn (5 mg/kg for four days) and Ginkgo biloba (200 mg/kg for ten days). Behavioral assessments, including grip test, walking beam, and T-maze tests, were carried out to evaluate motor performance. At the end of the 14-day experimental period, animals were sacrificed, and brain tissues were processed for histological analysis. Results showed that Group A displayed normal cerebellar structure, Group B exhibited degenerated Purkinje cells with pericellular spaces, Group C demonstrated a relatively preserved cortex, while Group D revealed regenerated Purkinje neurons. These findings indicate that Ginkgo biloba significantly attenuates manganese-induced motor deficits by restoring antioxidant balance, reducing neuroinflammation, and preserving neuronal integrity, highlighting its therapeutic potential against movement disorders associated with manganese neurotoxicity.