USE OF GINKGO EXTRACT FOR TREATING CANCER WHICH IS CHARACTERIZED BY AN OVER-EXPRESSION OF PERIPHERAL-TYPE BENZODIAZEPINE RECEPTOR PROTEIN

摘要

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 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.