Volume 6, Spring 2008 - Saddleback College

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Fall 2007 Biology 3A Abstracts the mice was identical from mouse to mouse throughout the entire experiment. The mice were fed mouse food mix provided by Petco, and were given water through a drip-feed container. Each of the ten mice was weighed on a balance provided by Canyon Lake Urgent and Family Care, Canyon Lake, California. The average weight of adult humans, the recommended dosage of ginkgo for humans, and the average weight of the experimental mice group were used to calculate roughly how much Ginkgo biloba extract would be needed for the experiment. The recommended dosage for Ginkgo biloba in humans was micro scaled at around 0.1 milligrams for each mouse to more closely simulate a human experiment. The mice were to be tested on their cognitive thinking, so a maze had been constructed specifically for the experiment. The maze was constructed using poster board received from Office Max, Mission Viejo, California. At the end of the maze, or the goal box, there was a piece of cheese that gave the mice incentive to reach the goal box. The first trial the mice endured in the maze was the pre-ginkgo trial. Each mouse was introduced to the maze, and was timed on how quickly each mouse could complete the maze using a stopwatch supplied by the experimental investigator. The maze was thoroughly cleansed between each of the mice trials throughout the entire experiment so as to eliminate confounding variables and to avoid an increase in completion time due to memory. The mice were not given any training with the mice preceding the pre-ginkgo trial, so as to minimize the effect on completion times due to prolonged exposure to the maze. The mice were then placed back in their wellventilated container for the next three days. During this three day period, the mice were fed as usual, but were also given a daily 0.1 mg portion of a Ginkoba, a dietary supplement containing Ginkgo biloba. The Ginkoba was provided by Canyon Lake Urgent and Family Care. Ginkoba was administered to the mice by crushing it and placing it in front of each mouse, individually, in a separate small container. The extract would sometimes need to be placed in mouse food in order for it to be consumed by the mice. After the three day period, the mice were put through a second trial, the ginkgo-induced trial. Each mouse was once again placed in the maze and was timed on how fast they could reach the goal box. After the second trial, each mouse was placed back in their container. The maze was again cleansed between each of the mice trials. The mice were kept in their well-ventilated container for another three days after the ginkgoinduced trial. During this second three day period, the mice were once again fed normally, but without the 88 Saddleback Journal of Biology Spring 2008 daily 0.1 mg portion of Ginkoba. The mice were then put through a third and final trial, the post-ginkgo trial. The mice were again put through the maze and timed on how fast they could reach the goal box. The maze was cleaned between mice trials. All data were transferred to MS Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington) where all further calculation and statistical manipulations were performed. All experimentation and calculations were done in the month of November 2007. Results The average weight of the mice was recorded at 28.87 ± 0.26 g (±se, N= 10). The average maze completion time for the mice during the first trial was shown at 21.50 ± 0.86 seconds. The second trial, the ginkgo-induced trial, showed similar completion times. The average maze completion time for the second trial came out at 20.81 ± 0.83 g (±se, N= 10). The third trial, the post-ginkgo trial, also resulted in similar results to the both previous trials. The average maze completion time for the third trial came out at 21.04 ± 0.80 g (±se, N= 10). Although the averages seemed to stray away from the tested hypothesis, further analysis was needed to confirm the results. An ANOVA statistical analysis test comparing the three performed trials revealed that there was not a significant decrease in completion time between the three trials (F =0.180, P = 0.84). The F- value is a measurement of distance between individual values, so the low value indicates no significant difference between the calculated means. The average completion times for each trial did not show enough variance to prove a significant difference between the three trials (Figure 1). These results show that Ginkgo biloba did not have a significant effect on the cognitive thinking in mice. Time (seconds) 25 20 15 10 5 0 Pre-Ginkgo Ginkgo-Induced Post- Ginkgo Trial Figure 1. The average completion times are shown for each trial run. The figure shows that Ginkgo biloba did
Fall 2007 Biology 3A Abstracts not produce a significant decrease in completion time for the maze (F=0.180, P = 0.84). Error bars indicate a 95% confidence interval. Discussion The hypothesis stated for this experiment was that extracts of Ginkgo biloba should have a positive effect on the cognitive thinking of mice. The results of the experiment have shown that the mice failed to perform significantly faster in the maze when under the influence of ginkgo than when ginkgo played no part in the mice. The mice were unable able to reach the goal box faster during the ginkgo-induced trial, because Ginkgo biloba seemed have no effect on the cognitive thinking of the mice. This proves the tested hypothesis implausible. The relationship between cognitive thinking and Ginkgo biloba is not well understood, according to most studies. Studies often contradict each other on the subject. Some studies have concluded that Ginkgo biloba has no effect on healthy adults at all (Huffman 2003). However, a similar study to the one performed has seen an improvement in their samples after the use of Ginkgo biloba (Gajewski and Hensch 1999). Some studies have even stated that Ginkgo biloba does work, but only on those with memory problems or dementia (Sierpina, Wollschlaeger, and Blumenthal 2003). The experiment performed provides evidence against the relationship between Ginkgo biloba and improved cognitive thinking, but it is questionable how relevant this data is to humans. Although there have been mixed results about studies concerning the matter, the general consensus seems to be that Ginkgo biloba is more beneficial to those with below average cognitive thinking or any type of dementia. The increase in cognitive thinking may be only minimal. So as a result, an increase in cognitive thinking may only be detected significantly in those with below average thinking. An increase in cognitive thinking may not be so visible in those with already good cognitive thinking. Future research could examine humans’ performance under the same condition as the performed trials. The effects of Ginkgo biloba on cognitive thinking can be studied by comparing its effects on those with dementia and those with good cognitive thinking. A significantly larger sample size and perhaps more exposure to the experimental activity would be needed to get the most accurate results. The amount of ginkgo given to subjects may be increased as well, but this route must be cautioned because of the possible side effects seen from increased Ginkgo biloba use (Gale 2007). If positive results are seen in a followup experimentation it could prove beneficial towards humans, because Ginkgo biloba extract can be readily 89 Saddleback Journal of Biology Spring 2008 available in large amounts due to the plant’s availability due to its strong withstanding of pollution and its long lifespan (Dilcher 2007). Dementia can be slowed down or even stopped, and Ginkgo biloba can be a first step in the process of stopping it for good. Literature Cited Carson-DeWitt, Rosalyn, M.D. (2007), Ginkgo biloba, Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders, Gale Virtual Reference Library Dilcher, David (2007), Ginkgo, Plant Sciences, Vol. 2: 179-181 Elovic, Elie P., and Zafonte, Ross D. (2001), Ginkgo Biloba: Applications in Traumatic Brain Injury, The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, Expanded Academic ASAP < http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS > Frankish, Helen (2002), Ginkgo biloba does not enhance memory in healthy adults, US study finds, The Lancet, Expanded Academic ASAP Gajewski, Ann, and S.A. Hensch (1999), Ginkgo Biloba and Memory for Maze, Psychological Reports, Expanded Academic ASAP Gale (2007) Ginkgo biloba may offer benefits, but be wary of risks: if you're taking this popular herbal supplement, use it with caution, especially if you take medications that thin your blood.(Over-the-counter), Men’s Health Advisor, Expanded Academic ASAP Heffel, Rianne (2006), Ginkgo biloba: feeling forgetful? Here's how this herb can help lift your brain fog, Better Nutrition, Expanded Academic ASAP Huffman, Grace Brooke (2002) Efficacy of Ginkgo Biloba in Treating Dementia, American Family Physician, Expanded Academic ASAP. < http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS> Huffman, Grace Brooke. (2003) Ginkgo Ineffective for Memory Enhancement, American Family Physician, Expanded Academic ASAP. < http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS>
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