Ginkgo Biloba This section was compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to: Frankp@chiro.orgIf there are terms in these articles you don't understand, you can get a definition from the Merriam Webster Medical Dictionary. If you want information about a specific disease, you can access the Merck Manual. You can also search Pub Med for more abstracts on this topic.
Ginko and: General Articles Asthma Alzheimer's Other Organs
Conditions That Respond Well Alternative Medicine Approaches to Disease
Ginkgo biloba Articles
The Vinpocetine Page
Although vinpocetine has been traditionally used in post-stroke patients, evidence suggests that it has dramatic effects on memory.
What is Ginkgo biloba?
A nice review by students from the University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy
In late August 2002, The Journal of the American Medical Association published a study that found that Ginkgo biloba does not enhance memory or improve cognitive function. Previous research has indicated that the botanical improves cognitive function and memory in elderly individuals with mild to moderate mental impairment. Another six-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of ginkgo that was published in August in The Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental found that the herb did improve memory, attention and cognitive clarity in adults with normal mental function. However in this study, participants took 60 mg more of ginkgo each day than in the JAMA study.
Ginkgo biloba may interact with blood-thinning compounds such as heparin, aspirin, or warfarin, known by the brand name, Coumadin. Ginkgo biloba may intensify anti-clotting effects of drugs because it, too, has anti-clotting properties.
Asthma and Ginkgo
Oxidative Stress–induced Platelet Aggregation
Biochem Mol Biol Int 1998 (Dec); 46 (6): 1243–1248
Ginkgolides A, B and C inhibited platelet-activating factor-induced aggregation, but not oxidant–induced aggregation. These data suggest that the suppressive effect of the extract is specific on platelet aggregation stimulated by oxidative stress, and that this effect is involved in the mechanism related to its protective effect upon cerebral or myocardial injuries.
A Rationale For The Therapeutic Application of Magnesium, Pyridoxine, Coleus forskholii and Ginkgo biloba in the Treatment of Adult and Pediatric Asthma
The Internist 1998 (Sept); 5 (3): 14–16
Thanks to the American Chiropratic Association's Council On Family Practice for their permission to reprint this article exclusively at Chiro.Org! You can review many other articles on Chiropractic and Asthma in the Research Section.
Alternative Medicine Review 1998 (Feb); 3 (1): 54–57 ~ FULL TEXT
Ginkgo biloba is an antioxidant with the ability to reduce clastogenic activity of the plasma. Ginkgo extracts are capable, in vitro, of scavenging various reactive oxygen species, and inhibiting or reducing the functional and morphological impairments observed after lipoperoxide release. It is possible that a large part of its anti-ischemic effect involves an inhibition of free radical formation.
Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 1995 (Oct); 15 (10): 606-8
When the platelets were pre-incubated with ginkgolides for 10 minutes in Tris-Tyrode's buffered saline, effects of the PAF and platelets mixture were significantly inhibited (P < 0.01). Exposure of guinea pigs' bronchus to platelet-activating factor (PAF) in vitro resulted in a loss of beta-adrenergic receptors and responses to isoproterenol, and this effect of PAF was prevented by prior incubation of the guinea pigs' bronchus with ginkgolides (P < 0.05). The results showed ginkgolides were a potent PAF antagonist.
Alzheimer's Dementia, Brain Function, and Ginkgo
Platelets 2010 (Feb); 21 (1): 53-9
Ginkgo biloba seems to protect against post-menopausal degenerative brain disease through it's protective effects on the mitochondria. Estrogen withdrawal seems to accelerate the decline of mitochondria populations within the brain, and in this study, Ginkgo was shown to protect against that.
Phytomedicine 2000 (Jan); 6 (6): 393–401
Second–generation cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, metrifonate) and Ginkgo special extract EGb 761 should be considered equally effective in the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's dementia.
Phytother Res 1999 (Aug 13); (5): 408–15
The results confirm that the effects of GBE extract on aspects of cognition in asymptomatic volunteers are more pronounced for memory, particularly working memory. They also show that these effects may be dose dependent though not in a linear dose related manner, and that GBE 120 mg produces the most evident effects of the doses examined. Additionally, the results suggest that the cognitive enhancing effects of GBE are more likely to be apparent in individuals aged 50-59 years.
of Cognitive Dysfunction
Alternative Medicine Review 1999 (Jun); 4 (3): 144–161 ~ FULL TEXT
Dementias and other severe cognitive dysfunction states pose a daunting challenge to existing medical management strategies. An integrative, early intervention approach seems warranted. Whereas, allopathic treatment options are highly limited, nutritional and botanical therapies are available which have proven degrees of efficacy and generally favorable benefit-to-risk profiles. Vinpocetine, found in the lesser periwinkle Vinca minor, is an excellent vasodilator and cerebral metabolic enhancer with proven benefits for vascular-based cognitive dysfunction.
Arch Neurol 1998 (Nov); 55 (11): 1409–15
Based on a quantitative analysis of the literature there is a small but significant effect of 3- to 6-month treatment with 120 to 240 mg of G. biloba extract on objective measures of cognitive function in AD. The drug has not had significant adverse effects in formal clinical trials but there are 2 case reports of bleeding complications. In AD, there are limited and inconsistent data that preclude determining if there are effects on noncognitive behavioral and functional measures as well as on clinician's global rating scales. Further research in the area will need to determine if there are functional improvements and to determine the best dosage. Additional research will be needed to define which ingredients in the ginkgo extract are producing its effect in individuals with AD.
of Decline in Mental Function
J Pharm Pharmacol 1999 (May); 51 (5): 535–41
The Chinese tree Ginkgo biloba or "maiden hair tree" is extensively cultivated for the exploitation of the medicinal properties of its leaves. From these, a well-defined extract designated "EGb 761" has been developed, which was commercialized initially as Tanakan, Tebonin and Rokin; a similar product, Kaveri (LI 3170), also exists. The major therapeutic applications for these products are "cerebral insufficiency", other cerebral disorders, neurosensory problems and peripheral circulatory disturbances.
Alternative Medicine Review 1998 (Feb); 3 (1): 54–57 ~ FULL TEXT
Ginkgo biloba is an antioxidant with the ability to reduce clastogenic activity of the plasma. Ginkgo extracts are capable, in vitro, of scavenging various reactive oxygen species, and inhibiting or reducing the functional and morphological impairments observed after lipoperoxide release. It is possible that a large part of its anti-ischemic effect involves an inhibition of free radical formation.
Psychopharmacol Bull 1998; 34(3): 391–7
In 1994, a standardized dry extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves (SeGb), has been approved by German health authorities for the treatment of primary degenerative dementia and vascular dementia. More than 24 different brands of Ginkgo biloba extract are sold in the United States. Tacrine, also known as tetrahydroaminoacrine (THA), and donepezil are currently the only drugs approved in the United States for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Alternative Medicine Review 1996 (Nov); 1 (4):236–242 ~ FULL TEXT
Extracts of the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree (ginkgo) have been used in China for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years. Research performed during the past fifteen years suggests that ginkgo may be of value in the treatment of age-related physical and mental deterioration, dementia, peripheral vascular disease, and organic impotence. Ginkgo may also reduce the severity of depression in individuals with cerebral dysfunction. Preliminary or uncontrolled studies suggest that ginkgo may benefit some patients suffering from tinnitus, vertigo, acute cochlear deafness, macular degeneration, cyclic edema, and asthma.
There is reason for celebration among proponents of natural healing, and the guest of honor is ginkgo. Recent research results may finally convince U.S. physicians to seriously consider natural treatments. [1] It isn't because there wasn't evidence to support ginkgo as an effective treatment for dementia (declining mental power), but the evidence, until now, was not the kind U.S. physicians took seriously.
Ginkgo and other Organ Systems
in Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome
J Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2009 (Aug 13); 15 (8): 845–851
Eighty-five (85, 94.4%) participants completed the study. The two groups were similar in terms of demographic characteristics and baseline overall severity of symptoms. After the intervention, there was a significant decrease in the overall severity of symptoms and physical and psychologic symptoms in both Ginkgo (23.68%) and placebo (8.74%) groups (p<0.001). However, the mean decrease in the severity of symptoms was significantly more in the Ginkgo group compared to the placebo group (p<0.001).
Exp Toxicol Pathol 1999 (May); 51 (3): 213–22
The number of plasmalemmal vesicles was tendentially more decreased, that of lysosomes more increased in the diabetic than in the protected group. It is concluded that EGb 761 can diminish partly interstitial fibrosis and reduce endothelial and muscular basement membrane thickening of the diabetic myocardium. It may contribute to prevent late diabetic complications.
and Ginkgo biloba Extract Treatment
Acta Histochem 1999 (Feb); 101 (1): 53–69
Combined cytophotometric and morphometric analysis of muscle fibre properties and myosin heavy chain electrophoresis were performed on extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles from healthy rats and rats with streptozotocin–induced diabetes. Moreover, the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract, a potent oxygen radical scavenger, on diabetic muscles was investigated.
biloba on Glutamate Neurotoxicity
Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao 1997 (Jul); 18 (4): 344–7
To determine whether the extract of leaves of Ginkgo biloba L (EGb) and several active constituents of EGb have protective effects against glutamate (Glu)–induced neuronal damage.
Nitric Oxide Production in the Macrophage Cell Line
Biochem Pharmacol 1997 (Mar 21); 53 (6): 897–903
These findings indicate that not only does EGb 761 directly act as an NO scavenger but also that it inhibits NO production in LPS/IFN-gamma-activated macrophages by concomitant inhibition of induction of iNOS mRNA and the enzyme activity of iNOS. Thus, EGb 761 may act as a potent inhibitor of NO production under tissue-damaging inflammatory conditions.
on CCl4–induced Hepatic Damage
Acta Physiol Hung 1997–98; 85(3): 277–85
The light and electron microscopic findings showed that Ginkgo biloba extract limited the CCl4–induced hepatocyte necrosis and atrophy. These results suggest that this extract may protect the hepatocytes from carbon tetrachloride–induced liver injury.
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