Abstract:Objective To study the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on the content of IL-1 and IL-8 in the serum and bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods In this study, 90 Wistar rats were randomly divided into groups A, B, C, D, E and F with 15 rats in each group. The rat model of COPD was established by exposure to cigarette smoke and cold air stimulation composite factors in the groups B, C, D, E and F. The rats in the groups C and D were given intraperitoneal injection of GBE from day l to day l4 and day 29 to day 42 respectively. The rats in the groups E and F were given intraperitoneal injection of Erythromycin from day l to day l4 and day 29 to day 42 respectively. The serum and BALF of each group were collected after 43 days. Then the content of IL-1 and IL-8 in the serum and BALF was measured. Results Compared with the group B, the serum content of IL-1 and IL-8 and the content of IL-1 in the BALF were lower in the groups A, C, D, E and F (P < 0.05). In reducing serum IL-1 level, early GBE intervention was better than late GBE intervention.In reducing serum and BALF IL-1 and IL-8 levels, GBE had no significant difference with Erythromycin (P > 0.05). Conclusions GBE can inhibit the airway and systemic inflammation of COPD.