Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBE) protect human RPE cells from t-BHP-induced oxidative stress and necrosis by activating the Nrf2-mediated antioxidant defence.

This article investigates the protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBE) on human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells subjected to oxidative stress induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP), a model relevant to dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The study demonstrates that GBE pre-treatment reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and ferroptosis-associated necrotic cell death in both immortalized ARPE-19 cells and primary human RPE cultures. These cytoprotective effects are linked to the activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated antioxidant defense pathway and modulation of ERK1/2 signaling, suggesting that GBE primes RPE cells to better withstand oxidative injury. The findings support the potential development of GBE as a therapeutic agent to slow the progression of dry AMD by enhancing endogenous antioxidant responses.