Inhibition of apoptosis by EGb 761. This figure details some of the mechanisms by which apoptosis may be inhibited by EGb 761, as described in the text. Apoptosis pathways include those initiated by death-receptor ligand or mitochondrial stress (i.e., ROS). These pathways may be downregulated at several levels by EGb 761: blocking the cascade of activation of caspases (-3, -7, and -9), inhibition of Bax and Apaf-1 proapoptotic protein expression, inhibition of cyt c release from the mitochondrial inner membrane to cytosol, and increments of Bcl-2 expression. EGb 761 also inhibits apoptosis acting as antioxidant and increasing intracellular levels of some enzymatic antioxidants (SOD, Cat, and GPx).
