RESUMO
Lead is a heavy metal abundant in nature that causes haematological imbalances, and hepatic and renal dysfunction, and this imbalance has been linked to oxidative stress. Several reports have shown that natural products are implicated in ameliorating metal poisonings. Ginkgo biloba is a flavonoid-rich natural herbal supplement with several pharmacological properties. The present study investigated effect of Ginkgo biloba supplement (GBS) on lead-induced toxicity. Animals were given a lead dose of 25 mg/kg for 14 days orally and then given Ginkgo biloba supplements of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg orally for 14 days. Animals given GBS had significantly improved haematological and rheological parameters. GBS showed a protective impact in terms of improved kidney and liver histology, anti-oxidant enzyme activity (CAT, SOD, GSH, and MDA), organ function indices, and a lower rate of erythrocyte osmotic fragility. Conclusively, Ginkgo biloba supplementation attenuated lead toxicity by normalization of haematological imbalances, and hepatic and renal dysfunction as well as maintaining erythrocyte membrane integrity.