Use of a plant extract

Abstract

The present invention is directed to the use of the extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves or isolated Ginkgolide B (GKB), a component of the extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves in a method for decreasing the expression of peripheral-type benzodiazepine_receptor (PBR) in cells of a patient in need thereof. Further, the present invention is directed to the use of the extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves or isolated GKB in a method for decreasing the proliferation of cancer cells in a patient. More particularly, the present invention is directed to the use of the extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves or isolated GKB in a method of decreasing cancer cell proliferation in a patient wherein the cancer cell is human breast cancer cell. Even more particularly, the present invention is directed to the use of the extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves or isolated GKB in a method of decreasing cancer cell proliferation in a patient wherein the cancer cell is of the aggressive and invasive phenotype and expresses high levels of PBR in comparison to non-aggressive cancer cell.

1 . A method of combating cancer in a patient in need of such combating, said method comprising administering an effective amount of  Ginkgo biloba  extracts or isolated Ginkgolide B to said patient.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said method combats the proliferation of cancer cells in a patient in need of such combating, wherein the proliferation is caused by the deregulation of expression of proteins having a role in regulating tumor cells.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said method combats the proliferation of cancer cells in a patient in need of such combating, wherein the proliferation is caused by over-expression of proteins having a role in regulating tumor cells.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the cancer cells have an aggressive phenotype and wherein the proliferation is caused by the over-expression of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor protein.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said method combats the proliferation of cancer cells, wherein the proliferation is caused by the over-expression of oncogenes, by decreasing the expression of said oncogenes in a patient in need of such combating.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said oncogenes are one or more of APC, PE-1, RhoA and c-Jun.  
     
     
         7 . A method of decreasing the expression of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor in cancer cells in a patient in need of such decreasing, wherein said cancer cells express an abnormal level of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor relative to normal cancer cells, which comprises administering an effective amount of  Ginkgo biloba  extracts or isolated Ginkgolide B to said patient.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein said cancer cells are human breast cancer cells.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein said cancer cells are glioblastomas.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein said cancer cells are human brain tumor cells.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein said cancer cells are human astrocytoma cells.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein said cancer cells are human colonic carcinoma cells.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein said cancer cells are human colonic adenocarcinoma cells.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein said cancer cells are human ovarian carcinoma cells.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein said cancer cells are human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.  
     
     
         16 . A method of decreasing the expression of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor mRNA in cancer cells in a patient in need of such decreasing, which comprises administering an effective amount of  Ginkgo biloba  extracts or isolated Ginkgolide B to said patient.  
     
     
         17 . A method of increasing the expression of c-Myc protooncogene in a patient in need of such increasing, which comprises administering an effective amount of  Ginkgo biloba  extracts or isolated Ginkgolide B to said patient.  
     
     
         18 - 23 . (canceled)  
     
     
         24 . A method of decreasing the expression of genes APC, PE-1, RhoA, c-Jun, prothymosin-α, CDK2, p55CDC, myeloblastin, p120 proliferating-cell nuclear antigen, NET1, ERK2, Adenosine A2A Receptor, Flt3 ligand, Grb2, Clusterin, RXR-β, Glutathione S-transferase P, N-Myc, TRADD, SGP-2, NIP-1, Id-2, ATF-4, ETR-101, ETR-103, macrophage colony-stimulating factor-1, heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor-like protein, inhibin α, CD19 B-lymphocyte antigen, L1CAM, β-catenin, and integrin subunits α3, α4, α6, β5, and αM, in a patient in need of such decreasing, which comprises administering an effective amount of  Ginkgo biloba  extracts or isolated Ginkgolide B to said patient.  
     
     
         25 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of  Ginkgo biloba  extracts or isolated Ginkgolide B for combating cancer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.