The present study investigated the protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on rat liver mitochondrial damage induced by in vitro anoxia/reoxygenation. Anoxia/reoxygenation was known to impair respiratory activities and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation efficiency. ADP/O (2.57 +/- 0.11) decreased after anoxia/reoxygenation (1.75 +/- 0.09, p < .01), as well as state 3 and uncoupled respiration (-20%, p < .01), but state 4 respiration increased (p < .01). EGb 761 (50-200 microg/ml) had no effect on mitochondrial functions before anoxia, but had a specific dose-dependent protective effect after anoxia/reoxygenation. When mitochondria were incubated with 200 microg/ml EGb 761, they showed an increase in ADP/O (2.09 +/- 0.14, p < .05) and a decrease in state 4 respiration (-22%) after anoxia/reoxygenation. In EPR spin-trapping measurement, EGb 761 decreased the EPR signal of superoxide anion produced during reoxygenation. In conclusion, EGb 761 specially protects mitochondrial ATP synthesis against anoxia/reoxygenation injury by scavenging the superoxide anion generated by mitochondria.